WO2012165974A2

WO2012165974A2 - Improvements in or relating to a spraying device

Info

Publication number: WO2012165974A2
Application number: PCT/NZ2012/000076
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael W SCHWARZ
Original assignee: Schwarz Michael W
Priority date: 2011-05-31
Filing date: 2012-05-28
Publication date: 2012-12-06
Also published as: WO2012165974A3

Abstract

The invention resides in a spraying device. The spraying device comprising a manifold having an inlet to the manifold and at least one outlet from the manifold. The or each outlet comprises or includes a pressure operated valve. In a preferred form of the invention the pressure operated valve comprises a duckbill valve.

Description

Improvements in or Relating to a Spraying Device

Technical Field

The invention relates to a Spraying device Background Art

A problem with existing spray nozzles is that they usually require at least 5 psi of pressure for acceptable operation. At that pressure, the liquid splashes when it hits the ground above which the nozzle is positioned. Accordingly when used with herbicides the liquid can splash onto plants which it is desired to retain. Any dripping from the nozzles also allows herbicide to fall onto plants which it is desired to save. Furthermore the nozzles can produce a fine mist which can drift onto plants which it is desired to retain.

This is of course disadvantageous and impacts negatively on the viability of devices which are intended to selectively spray herbicide onto unwanted plants while leaving wanted or desired plants to grow.

In this specification the term herbicide includes fertilisers when used in a manner that causes the effect of a herbicide on a plant.

Prior References:

All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinence of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications may be referred to herein; this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in any country.

Definitions:

It is acknowledged that the term 'comprise' may, in varying jurisdictions, be attributed with either an exclusive or an inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwise noted, the term 'comprise' shall have an inclusive meaning - i.e. that it will be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly references, but also Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a Spraying device

Background of Invention

A problem with existing spray nozzles is that they require at least 5 psi of pressure for acceptable operation. At that pressure, the liquid splashes when it hits the ground above which the nozzle is positioned. Accordingly when used with herbicides the liquid can splash onto plants which it is desired to retain. Any dripping from the nozzles also allows herbicide to fall onto plants which it is desired to save. Furthermore the nozzles can produce a fine mist which can drift onto plants which it is desired to retain.

Prior References:

All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinence of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications may be referred to herein; this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country.

Definitions:

It is acknowledged that the term 'comprise' may, under varying jurisdictions, be attributed with either an exclusive or an inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwise noted, the term 'comprise' shall have an inclusive meaning - i.e. that it will be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly references, but also other non-specified components or elements. This rationale will also be used when the term 'comprised' or 'comprising' is used in relation to one or more steps in a method or process.

193484NZ_FROVSPEC2_20110526J348_CJW.doc Object of the Invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a spraying device that ameliorates some of the disadvantages and limitations of the known art or at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Summary of Invention

In a first aspect the invention resides in a spraying device comprising a manifold having an inlet thereto and at least one outlet therefrom, the outlet comprising or including a pressure operated valve.

Preferably, the pressure operated valve comprises a duckbill valve.

Preferably a plurality of outlets comprising or including pressure operated valves are provided.

Brief Description

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, by reference to the

accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a spraying device in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2 is an underneath perspective view of the spraying device of figure 1, Figure 3 is an underneath view of the spraying device of figure 1, Figure 4 is a cross sectional view on "A- A" in figure 3, and Figure 5 is a perspective cross sectional view on "B-B" in fig 3.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments):

193484NZ_PROVSPEC2_20110526_1348_CJW.doc The following description will describe the invention in relation to preferred embodiments of the invention, namely a improvements in or relating to a spraying device The invention is in no way limited to these preferred embodiments as they are purely to exemplify the invention only and that possible variations and modifications would be readily apparent without departing from the scope of the invention.

Figure 1 shows improvements in or relating to a spraying device 1. The spraying device 1 has a manifold 2 and at least one outlet 3 therefrom (figure 4). In figure 3 eleven outlets 3 are shown. An inlet 4 to the manifold 2 is also provided which has means to enable a supply line (not shown) to be attached thereto. In the figures the means which enable a supply line to be attached thereto are threads 5. Other known means of attachment which substantially obviate leaking from the connection can be used.

The construction of the manifold 2 can be in any desired manner but in the embodiment described herein the main chamber of the manifold is formed by a container member 10 into which the inlet 4 feeds. A top is provided by an upper plate member 11 which is provided with a rebate 12 around the periphery to engage and close the container member 10. The outlets 3 are provided by apertures in the lower surface of the container member 10. The outlets may have a short tube 14 extending therefrom and a pressure operated valve is associated therewith. The pressure operated valve may be in the form of a duckbill valve 15 constructed of a flexible resilient material which will open when a selected pressure arises in the manifold 10. The dimensions, wall thickness, length and other variables for the duckbill vale can be derived empirically. The number of valves can be selected to suit the needs. The valves 15 are showed in a staggered formation but if made smaller in diameter could be in a single line. Valves in three or even more rows may also be used.

As can be seen in figure 4 the bottom surface of the container member 10 may be in the form of a shallow "V" which assists in removing as much air as possible from the inside of the device. The air will tend to collect at one or both the ends of the manifold 2 and can be removed from the manifold 2 by one or both of the valves 15 at the ends of the manifold.

The duckbill valves 15 can be push fit onto the tubes 14 but the valves preferably have a circumferential flange 17 at the proximate end thereof.

193484NZ_PROVSPEC2_20110526_1348_CJW.doc The manifold can be held together by a bottom plate 18 which is apertured so that the duckbill valves extend downwardly thereinto but are able to exert a force onto the flanges 17 to retain the duckbill valves onto the short tubes 14.

Extending upwardly from the plate 18 are resilient arms 20 with a hook or catch 22 which snaps over the upper plate member 11.

In use the spraying device of the invention is mounted in a suitable carrier and attached to a supply of say weed killer under pressure. Typically the pressure used with the invention can be as little as 2 psi.

When the pressure is at the required level such as 2 psi the duckbill valves will open and spray can be deposited on ground over which the spraying device is being traversed.

Advantages

a) The spraying device of the invention can be operated at low pressures such as 2 psi which minimises splashing thus reducing any tendency to splash plants which it is desired to save.

a) As the spray is under low pressure there is a reduced tendency for fine mist to be formed and accordingly damaged to wanted plant by mist drift is minimised.

c) The invention is satisfactory for use with the construction disclosed in US Patent specification 12/869,121 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Variations

It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is hereinbefore described.

1 3484NZ_PROVSPEC2_201 10526_1348_CJW.doc

Claims

Provisional Claim

Claim 1 : a spraying device comprising a manifold having an inlet thereto and at least one outlet therefrom, the outlet comprising or including a pressure operated valve.

PIPERS

Attorneys for the Applicant

ORAKA GRADERS LIMITED

193484NZ_PROVSPEC2_20U0526_t348_CJW.doc