NZ286740A - Mobile fluid dispenser; a storage container and a pump which is capable of pumping fluid directly from on site source into container - Google Patents

Description

286740 PATENTS FORM NO. 5 Fee No. 4: $260.00 PATENTS ACT 1958 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION After Provisional nq; mm Dated: 5 June 1996 JfltnftH Sr. WellB Ref: 12134/8 BE DISPENSER We James Dean Horn & Kerry Susan Horn, both New Zealand citizens of 121 Balmoral Drive, Tokoroa, New Zealand hereby declare the invention for which We pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: N.Z. PATENT OFFICE - 5 JUN mi RECEIVED 286740 DISPENSER TECFTNjTCAL. FIELD This invention relates to a dispenser. background art Reference throughout this specification shall made be to the present invention as being a dispenser for use with agricultural chemicals. However it should be appreciated that the present invention can apply to other situations and this is given by way of example only.

Agricultural chemicals are typically by their nature hazardous and there 10 are strict occupational safety and health (OSH) requirements relating to the handling of agricultural chemicals.

Unfortunately, present practice's for handling chemicals are time consuming, messy and often do not meet with OSH requirements. This is particularly so when agricultural chemicals are being applied manually 15 (as opposed to aerially or by land vehicles) in remote locations such as forestry areas.

For example, one method of handling agricultural chemicals in this situation is to take a tandem trailer to the remote location. The trailer usually contains a large water container. The water is poured from this 20 container into 20 litre containers along with chemicals. The water/chemical mix is then agitated by hand. The resultant mixture is then poured into backpack bottles for use by people who will be spraying the chemicals. 2 !8G740 In a typical operation, over thirty 20 litre containers are required to be mixed. This has a number of disadvantages.

One of these disadvantages is the time consuming nature of having to mix so many containers. Further, every time agricultural chemicals are 5 handled in this way, there is the danger of Overexposure to the chemicals on either the environment or the person mixing the chemicals.

It can be a considerable problem to transport all of the material required to mix the agricultural chemicals on site. For example, it can be difficult to negotiate a remote location with a trailer that is laden with water.

Further, a trailer laden with water containers has less room for other equipment.

Another problem is that tne^amount of water which can be carried on a trailer is limited and therefore it is possible to run out of water before a job is completed.

There are a number of trailers and containers used for mining and dispensing chemicals and a few of them are discussed below. However, none of these devices address the above mentioned problems.

Patent Specification No. 222616 relates to a container for storing and delivering granular material. The container is adaptable to hold liquid.

This container is essentially designed to store liquid and solid materials and to deliver blends of the materials. There is at least one container for liquids and one container for solid materials. The container for solid materials incorporates a conveyor in its floor for carrying material out of the container. The solids container may also hold liquid. 3 1 28G740 This apparatus, if incorporated on a trailer still requires the transportation of water with its inherent problems.

Patent Specification No. 207113 relates to a fire fighting tanker modified to provide refuge for fire fighters.

The tanker is normally mounted on a truck. The tank is double walled with insulation between the two walls. The interior is divided into a number of cells by baffles. Each cell has a hatch. Dump valves are provided to enable the tank to be rapidly emptied automatics Uy when the hatch is opened, to enable fire fighters to enter the tank.

This does not have the ability to mix/dispense chemicals.

Patent Specification No. 212376 relates to a chassisless tank vehicle incorporating a front refuge loader.

This patent relates to a wheeled vehicle which is self propelled and has a load receiving tank. The driving wheeled suspension system, the driven 15 steering control system and power transmission system are attached to the tank. An operator's cab is attached at the forward end of the tank.

This does not have safe chemical mixing facilities.

Patent Specification No. 226653 relates to a trailer with storage lockers.

This relates to a camping trailer divided into compartanents by horizontal 20 and vertical partitions.

Again, this cannot be used for mining chemicals.

Patent Specification No. 211633 relates to fire fighting vehicle with a modular equipment compartment structure. 4 ^86740 2 This vehicle has a cabin and a facilities section behind the cabin. The facilities section is built up from modular components attached to a base frame which is connected to the chassis of the vehicle, and two side units t which are accessible from the outer side of each unit.

Yet again, this cannot be used for mixing chemicals.

Design Registration Nos. 21836. 25171. 23077 relates to various mobile vans or trailers.

None of these articles appear to have chemical mixing facilities.

It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems 10 or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

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

Disclosure of I According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a transportable unit which includes bulk fluid storage means capable of containing fluid, and pumping means capable of pumping fluid, the transportable unit being characterised in that the pumping means is capable of pumping a fluid directly from an on-site source into the bulk 20 fluid storage means.

The transportable unit may be any device capable of being readily moved, and may include a truck, tanker and so forth. 286740 Preferred embodiments of the transportable unit is in the form of a trailer and shall be referred to as such throughout this specification. This should not be seen as limiting. - In other embodiments, the transportable unit may be a modular unit 5 capable of being loaded onto a deck or chassis of a trailer or vehicle. In addition, the transportable unit may also be capable of being transported via a helicopter or such means, to remote locations not readily accessible by other means; or by a crane to other inaccessible sites.

It is envisaged that one. particular application of the present invention 10 will be in spraying the fluid itself or mixed with chemicals for the forestry industry. Therefore in preferred embodiments, the trailer is capable of being readily towed to forestry locations.

Another application of the present invention could be as a. tanker for fighting fires. In this embodiment, there may be provided a means by 15 which fire retarding chemicals or materials such as foam can be added to the fluid to assist in the fire fighting operation.

Reference throughout this specification shall be made to the fluid and/or chemicals as forming part of a spray to be dispensed via backpacks. However, again it should be appreciated that the fluid and/or chemicals 20 may be applied in other forms, for example a wash, paintbrush and so forth. It should also be appreciated that the present invention may also include embodiments which have been adapted to provide road side spraying. 6 2 86740 In preferred embodiments the volume of the bulk fluid storage means is sufficient to contain enough fluid, or diluent such as water, to mix at least one batch of chemicals. ? In preferred embodiments however, the bulk fluid storage means is large 5 enough to contain sufficient fluid to accomplish a whole spraying operation.

The fluid shall now be referred to as water, and the bulk fluid storage means shall be referred to as the storage container. However, it should be appreciated that these terms are not to be seen as limiting. For example, 10 other fluids/diluents may be used with the present invention.

The term pumping means should be understood to mean any device capable of transferring fluid in accordance with the present invention. The pumping means shall now be referred to as a pump.

The on-site source may be any suitable fluid source. For example, the on-15 site source may be water from a storage tank, reservoir, lake, river and so forth. In some situations premixed diluent-chemical solutions may also be sourced on-site where such solutions are available in sufficient quantities and held in reservoirs to which the transportable unit can obtain access.

It can be seen that the provision of a pump on a transportable unit that can pump from an on-site source overcomes a number of the problems with the prior art.

For example, the transportable unit or trailer may be transported to a remote location and not have to carry water throughout the journey. 7 286740 Instead, the trailer may be towed without fluid to the location and then the water sourced on-site.

If for some reason the storage container is emptied of water before the spraying operation is complete, the pump can be used to make available extra water from an on-site source.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention the pump is also capable of pumping metered amounts of water from the storage container to miying chamber(s). The mixing chambers shall now be referred to as additional containers. These additional containers may contain concentrated chemical(s) (in preferably measured amounts) that when mixed with the water forms a spray mixture for use having the required concentration.

Alternately, metered amounts of chemicals from a chemical reservoir may be pumped into a mixing chamber, and mixed'with metered amounts of water pumped from the storage container, thereby forming a spray mixture for use having the required concentration.

The ability of a pump to transfer a metered amount of water to a container overcomes the further problems of the prior art as this is normally a process which is done manually. Manual processes can lead to spillages, with undue and potentially hazardous exposure of the user and/or the environment to the chemicals.

Further, greater accuracy and consistency of the chemical mix can be ensured. 8 2 86740 In preferred embodiments of the present invention there is provided mixing apparatus that can actually mix the chemicals prior to the water being transferred to the additional containers.

Also in preferred embodiments, the trailer may also incorporate a 5 mixing apparatus which enables mixing of the concentrated chemicals with the fluid as required. The automation of this step also overcomes a number of the problems associated with manual mixing.

Preferably said mixing apparatus is provided to mix the chemicals with the water prior to the mixture being transferred to secondary containers 10 via dispensing outlets. Such secondary containers such as backpack spray units, can then be used by people applying the mixture to the appropriate final site as required. Such sites may include vegetation, where the mixture is a herbicide, fungicide, fertiliser and so forth in forested regions. Alternately, the mixture may be used to dampen down 15 fires and so forth.

The pump may be operated by a variety of means. For example, the pump may be driven by the motor of the vehicle that tows the trailer. Alternatively, the pump may be driven by a independent motor, for example petrol, electric and so forth.

In some embodiments of the present invention there may be provided more than one pump. For example, there may be provided a main pump which is capable of pumping the on-site water into the storage container. Additional pumps may be used for pumping the water from the storage container into the additional container(s) or mixing chamber(s), or to 25 washing facilities, or to the dispensing outlets, and so forth. 9 2 86740 The metering of the water may be achieved by a variety of means. For example, the metering may be through timing the period during which the pump is being operated. A further option, rather than controlling the volume by the length of time that the pump is operated, may be provided 5 via control valves which open for a period of time. Alternatively, there may be provided a flow metering means instead.

The transfer of the chemicals to secondary containers, such as backpack spay units which operators typically use for spraying operations, has always been a problem. Therefore, the pump may also be used to transfer 10 the mixture(s) to dispensing outlets to enable such backpacks to be readily filled. For example, the outlet or outlets may be taps that can be turned to allow the fluid to flow from the taps into the backpacks.

It is envisaged that the present invention will be used in situations where there are multiple users of the spray mixture. Therefore, in preferred 15 embodiments there may be a number of outlets (say 10) which can be used at the same time for filling backpacks or other secondary containers as required.

It should be appreciated that the parallel ability to fill a number of backpacks/secondary containers is considerably more efficient than 20 having just one outlet which is typically the prior art situation.

The present invention may include a number of other features which are conducive to an efficient and safe dispensing operation as substantially described.

For example, the present invention may include washing facilities which 25 are useful for both safety and aesthetic reasons. 2 se7i0 Washing facihties may not just be for the users of the chemicals, but also be used for cleaning the trailer itself.

Likewise, there is preferably a drainage facility where the outlets are located to catch any excess chemical that does not enter into the 5 backpacks.

Preferably these facilities ensure that washing water and/or chemicals spilt can be collected and held as waste within a waste reservoir within the trailer rather than entering the environment. The waste can then be emptied later, in a controlled and safe manner.

Each of the separate facility features of the trailer may be contained in separate compartments of the body of trailer allowing ready access by the user while maintaining order.

For example, the trailer may be.fully enclosed and include say six compartments. Some of the available compartments may be located on 15 one side of the trailer to be available for storage of equipment such as wet weather gear, tools and so forth. A further compartment (perhaps located at one end of the trailer) may incorporate the pump and/or washing facilities. Similarly, another compartment (perhaps located at the other end of the trailer) may be the dispensing area where the 20 backpacks are placed for filing.

Other compartments may enclose additional container(s) of the concentrated chemicals which are mixed with the fluid pumped into the additional containers or mixing chamber(s) from the main fluid storage container on the trailer. Preferably, the size of these latter 25 containers/chambers are such that they only require filling once or twice per spraying operation. 11 2 86740 ■ In preferred embodiments however, the main fluid storage container and the additional/mixing containers enclosing the chemicals are located in close proximity to each other, and preferably therefore, in the same compartment.

The conduits along which the fluid is pumped may be of any type, but in preferred embodiments the conduits are clear hose lines so that the user of the present invention can see clearly the dispensing operation. Preferably the hose lines are reinforced in order to cope with the pressures generated by the pump(s).

In addition, the containers, the conduits, the trailer itself and so forth are preferably made from materials which are resistant to the chemicals required to be mixed and dispensed.

Preferably, the trailer has enough features so that it is self-sufficient. For example, the trailer may include such features as a spare wheel, a step 15 ladder (to allow ready access to the compartments and/or shelving), as well as other storage devices to hold any equipment as required.

The trailer may be any format, but in preferred embodiments the trailer is a double tandem trailer that is self-braking, with a jockey wheel.

Preferably also the body or housing of the trailer includes doors which 20 may also be lockable, and weather proof.

It can be seen that the present invention overcomes a number of the problems associated with the prior art. 12 2 86 740 Accordingly, there is provided a means by which chemicals can, in remote locations (or anywhere else), be safely, accurately and efficiently mixed and dispensed with minimal danger to the users of the chemicals or the environment. brief description of drawings Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the trailer in accordance with one 10 embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an alternate view of the trailer in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3 is a further alternate view of the above trailer. best modes for carrying out the k Figures 1, 2 and 3 all illustrate views of a trailer, generally indicated by arrow 1, which is in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 1 and 2 are side perspective views of a trailer 1 having a body or housing 2 including a front compartment 17, a central compartment 7, a 20 rear compartment 11, side compartments 4 and lower compartment 5. The housing 2 includes multiple access means, or doors 3, shown in all the figures in an open configuration. 13 ZS674Q The doors 3 allow users of the trailer 1 to access the various components contained within the compartments of the trailer 1. The doors 3 are capable of being locked. In addition, the doors 3 serve to protect the contents of the compartments of the trailer 1 from the effects of the 5 weather.

In the embodiment of Figure 1, in the rear of the trailer 1, generally indicated by arrow 11, is situated various washing facilities 14, and pumping apparatus 15, including metering means 18.

It should be appreciated that all of the components shown in the various 10 compartments of the body 2, of the trailer 1, may be situated in different parts of the trailer 1 and that the drawings are merely by way of example only.

For example, in Figures 1 to 3, side storage compartments 4 for wet weather gear, spraying equipment and the like can be seen. The storage 15 compartments 4 are located in the external side faces of the trailer 1.

Situated between the side storage compartments 4 on one side of the trailer 1 is a ladder 6 which allows ready access to the top or central compartment 7 of the trailer 1.

It can be seen at the top of the trailer 1 there is included within the 20 central compartment 7 of the trailer 1, a large storage container 8 which can hold the water pumped from on-site into the trailer 1.

Also visible are two smaller additional storage containers 9 and 10 which contain chemicals for mining with the water of the storage container 8. 14 286740 Alternately, one of the smaller containers, say 9, may serve as the mining chamber, with chemicals from the other smaller container, say 10, being pumped into container 9 for mixing with water pumped from the bulk storage container 8.

In Figure 2, it can be seen that in the front compartment 17 of the trailer there is situated dispensing means 16 for dispensing the mixed chemicals into secondary containers such as backpacks 12.

Also shown in Figure 2 is a drawbar 13 that enables the trailer 1 to be connected to an appropriate vehicle.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims. 286740

Claims (48)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1 A dispenser comprising a transportable unit which includes; a) bulk fluid storage means; b) at least one mixing chamber; c) means for transferring fluid from said bulk fluid storage means to mixing chamber; d) means for drawing fluid from a said mixing chamber; e) waste holding means; and f) plumbing connecting at least said bulk fluid storage means and a mixing chamber.

2. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein the transportable unit includes a means for drawing fluid from an external source to bulk fluid storage means.

3. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the transportable unit includes a washing area.

4 A dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 1 through 3 wherein the transportable unit includes a dispensing area.

5. A dispenser as claimed in claim 4 when dependent upon claim 3 wherein tb.e washing and dispensing areas are the same area.

6. A dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 3 through 5 wherein either one or both the washing area and the dispensing area includes a 16 288740 catchment portion directing spillages from the washing area and/or dispensing area to waste holding means of the transportable unit.

A dispenser as claimed in claim 6 wherein the catchment portion directs spillages from either or both the bulk fluid storage means and the mixing chamber to waste holding means of the transportable unit.

A dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the transportable unit includes a body, said body being divided by at least two vertical, sideways extending walls and at least one horizontal, lengthways extending wall into a forward compartment, a central compartment, a rearward compartment and at least one lower compartment.

A dispenser as claimed in claim 8 wherein the body of the transportable unit is further divided by at least one vertical, lengthways extending wall into at least one side compartment.

A dispenser as claimed in either claim 8 or claim 9 wherein any one of the forward, central, rearward, lower and side compartments of the transportable unit are capable of housing at least one of pumping means, plumbing means, washing means, dispensing means, mixing chamber, bulk fluid storage means, waste holding means, and miscellaneous equipment, including tools, protective clothing and removable secondary containers associated with the functioning of the dispenser.

A dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 8 through 10 wherein the bulk fluid storage means of the transportable unit is located in a compartment separate from the remainder of the apparatus. 17 ( 286740

12. A dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 8 through 11 wherein the mixing chamber of the transportable unit is located in a compartment separate from the remainder of the apparatus.

13. A dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 8 through 12 wherein washing means, when provided, is accessible from an external face of the transportable unit.

14 A dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 8 through 13 wherein dispensing means, when provided, is accessible from an external face of the transportable unit.

15. A dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 8 through 14 wherein miscellaneous equipment, when provided, is accessible from an external face of the transportable unit.

16. A dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which includes at least one chemical reservoir connected to a mixing chamber in a manner allowing delivery of said chemical into a mixing chamber.

17. A dispenser as claimed in claim 16 wherein at least the mixing chamber and the chemical reservoir are of a material resistant to the chemicals to be mixed and held in said chamber and reservoir.

18. A dispenser as claimed in claim 17 wherein said chemicals include herbicides, fungicides, fertilisers, and soluble fire retarding compounds.

19. A dispenser has claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein means for transferring fluid from the bulk fluid storage means to mining chamber comprises pumping means. 18 286740

A dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the means for drawing fluid from a mixing chamber comprises pumping means.

A dispenser as claimed in claim 16 wherein there is provided pumping means for delivering chemicals from a chemical reservoir into a mixing chamber.

A dispenser as claimed in claim 20 when dependent upon claim 19 in which the pumping means from bulk storage means to mixing chamber and from mixing chamber comprise the same pump.

A dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 19 through 22 wherein said pumping means can also be used for drawing fluid from an external supply, such as a storage tank, reservoir, dam, lake, and river into the bulk fluid storage means.

A dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 19 through 23 in which a pumping me&as is capable of pumping a metered amount.

A dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein there is provided plumbing such that a single provided pump comprises the means for pumping at least two of: an external fluid supply into the bulk fluid storage means; fluid from bulk fluid storage means to mixing chamber; and for drawing fluid from mixing chamber.

A dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein provided plumbing is such that it includes a means for flushing the pump and said plumbing. 19 2 86740

27. A dispenser as claimed in claim 26 wherein provided plumbing includes means for diverting flushing liquid into waste holding means.

28. A dispenser as claimed in claim 9 or any one of claims 10 through 27 when dependent upon claim 9 wherein provided plumbing includes means for directing fluid and/or fluid-chemical mixture to the dispensing means.

29. A dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein provided plumbing includes valves for directing the flow of fluid and/or fluid-chemical mixture, said values being automatically selected according to user selected function.

30. A dispenser as claimed in claim 29 wherein the plumbing and valves are of a material resistant to chemicals to which said plumbing and valves are exposed. _ •

31. A dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which includes multiple dispensing means.

32. A dispenser as claimed in claim 31 wherein the multiple dispensing means is able to direct the fluid or fluid-chemical mixture to secondary container(s) for use on site.

33. A dispenser as claimed in claim 7 or any one of claims 8 through 32 when dependent on claim 7 wherein the body of the transportable unit includes a ladder to facilitate ready access to one or more of the compartments. 20 2°» ae'rto

34. A dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the transportable unit comprises a trailer having means for connection to a towing vehicle.

35. A dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 33 wherein the transportable unit comprises a mobile unit with an engine for self-powering said transportable unit.

36. A dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 33 wherein the transportable unit comprises a modular unit able to be loaded onto a deck or chassis of a trailer or vehicle.

37. A dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the transportable unit includes means for being lifted by a crane, and/or helicopter.

38. A dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the mixing chamber includes, mixing means to effect mixing of the fluid and/or chemicals in said mixing chamber.

39. A dispenser as claimed in claim 38 wherein mixing in the mixing chamber is effected by the fluid and/or chemicals being introduced into the mixing chamber in a manner promoting agitation of the said fluid and/or chemicals.

40. A dispenser as claimed in either claims 38 or 39 wherein mixing in the mixing chamber is effected by electrically powered mixing means.

41. A dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 38 through 40 wherein mixing in the mixing chamber is effected by a pump operable to 21 2 36740 recirculate fluid for mixing and agitation of the contents of the mixing chamber.

42. A dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wheVein the plumbing of the dispensing means comprises a recirculating system in which fluid drawn from the mixing chamber, but which is not drawn off by the user, is diverted back into the mixing chamber thereby contributing to mixing in the mixing chamber.

43. A dispenser as claimed in claim 8 or any one of claims 9 to 42 when dependent on claim 8 wherein the side, forward, central, rearward and lower compartments of the body of the transportable unit are accessible via lockable and weather proof access means.

44. A method of preparing and dispensing a fluid and/or fluid-chemical mixture, comprising the use of a transportable unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 43.

45. A method of preparing and dispensing a fluid and/or fluid-chemical mixture comprising the steps of: a) locating a transportable unit including at least bulk fluid storage means, a mixing chamber, pumping means, mixing means and dispensing means on site; and b) optionally drawing fluid from an external source to bulk fluid storage means; and c) pumping fluid from bulk fluid storage means to mixing chamber via pumping means; and 22 sS€740 d) mixing fluid from bulk fluid storage means with chemicals positioned in a mixing chamber via mixing means; and . e) drawing mixture from mixing chamber to dispensing means; aiid f) dispensing mixture via dispensing means into removable secondary containers for use on site.

46. A method of preparing and dispensing a fluid and/or fluid-chemical mixture as claimed in claim 45 in which the transportable unit includes at least one chemical, reservoir and wherein said method includes pumping chemicals from at least one chemical reservoir to mixing chamber via pumping means.

47. A method as claimed in either claim 45 or 46 wherein the mixing means comprises at least one of: a) recirculating system, b) a mechanical agitator, and c) introducing bulk fluid into the mixing chamber promoting agitation.

48. A dispenser substantially as described herein, with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. 23 2&8740 A method of using a dispenser substantially as described herein, with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. JAMES DEAN HORN & KERRY SUSAN HORN by their Attorneys .TAMILS ffliiLLS fN°OFCU|Ms 24