WO2023113589A1

WO2023113589A1 - Sprayer assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2023113589A1
Application number: PCT/MY2022/050085
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zulkifli MOHAMMED HASHIM; Wong Mun KAI; Muhamad Faiz ROSLAN; Azman SULAIMAN; Alexander Decxon PEDRO; Janathenan Nair CHANDRAN; Mohd Rakim RADUAN
Original assignee: Sime Darby Plantation Intellectual Property Sdn Bhd
Priority date: 2021-12-14
Filing date: 2022-09-15
Publication date: 2023-06-22

Abstract

The present invention provides a sprayer assembly detachably coupled to a movable apparatus (1) for spraying herbicides, comprising at least one container (2) to hold herbicides solution, at least one pump (3), at least one spray hose (4), a plurality of nozzles (5), at least one sprayer arm (6), a bumper frame (7), a rear frame (8), a top frame (9), a plurality of pulleys (10), at least one joint (11), at least one coupling (12), at least one spring (13) and at least one arm frame (14), wherein the at least one pump (3) is to produce pressurised herbicides solution, the at least one spray hose (4) is to carry the pressurised herbicides solution from the at least one container (2) to the plurality of nozzles (5) and the pressurised herbicides solution is released or discharged out from plurality of nozzles (5) in the form of high pressurised droplets.

Description

SPRAYER ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a sprayer assembly for spraying herbicides solution for weed management purposes.

BACKGROUND

The list of prior arts or published information in this specification should not be taken as an acknowledgement that this present invention is common general knowledge or is part of the state of the art.

Weeds in oil palm are such as grasses, broad-leaf weeds, creeping and woody type weeds, ferns, epiphytes and others. Weed management is important for oil palm growth, hence, the area around the oil palm tree must be free of growth of weeds especially for young palms to ensure the roots are not in competition with the weed. Application of herbicides to control growth of weeds have become common over the years. Weed management is important as weeds can affect the growth of the oil palm trees by reducing its oil yield and growth as the oil palm trees are in competition with the weeds for nutrient, water, sunlight and space to grow. Weeds require substantial amounts of nutrients for growth as well. Good weed control around palms (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) not only aims to reduce nutrients competition between the palms and surrounding weeds but could also facilitate effective fertilising, harvesting, and in-field fresh fruit bunch (FFB), and loose fruit collection-transportation operations in the plantations. The circle for weed control around the base of planted palm tree is usually i.o m radius at the time of planting and is gradually expanded to 2.0 m by the time the palm has reached 18 to 24 months. A new machine system has been designed, developed and evaluated for extensive circle spraying of oil palms (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) in an effort to overcome the inefficient spraying problem with the conventional spraying system. The machine system consists of a four-wheeled drive 4WD prime mover with front mounted machine attachments for the circle spraying operation. The configuration of the circle spraying attachment consists of a hexagonal curved spray boom, lifting arm, opening -tilting mechanism unit, storage tank, spray pump, solid cone nozzles, and associate hydraulic system. Field performance tests on the machine system showed an average effective field capacity of 7.89 ha per man per day and when compared to the earlier reported effective field capacity of the walking spray-operated equipment using Serena LT16 knapsack sprayer; a difference of 1.97 time for circle spraying of mature palms grove. Reduction in the human energy expenditure of 101.28 kJ man-1 h-1 or 10.68 % but an increase in the spraying cost of 1.53 USD ha-1 or 24.9 % were obtained with the machine system against the walking spraying-operated equipment using Serena LT16 knapsack sprayer. Justification for machine system to be cost effective could be satisfied if the present effective field capacity is increased to 1.263 time with good skilled operator or if the current R&D cost is reduced to 0.41 time. This is because the improved field capacity of new machine system could not rationalize its current R&D cost. Admittedly, the machine system has great potential to overcome the limitations with the current employed machine/equipment in the circle spraying operation of oil palms in the plantation. This machine is called a ‘prime mover’, more or less a utility vehicle with multiple attachments and applications. In this case they’ve equipped it with a ‘circle sprayer’, with six booms that can open and close around the tree for applying crop protectants such as weed control. See Figure 1.

[Source: Scientia Agricola, On-line version ISSN 1678-992X, Sei. agric. (Piracicaba, Braz.) vol.69 no.2 Piracicaba Mar./Apr. 2012, https://d0i.0rg/10.1590/S0103-

90162012000200002]

There are many big oil palm plantation groups which are using the Retained Pressure Manual Knapsack Sprayer with the various optional low volume nozzles.

[Source: https://www.mycrop.com.my/weed-management/]

The knapsack sprayer is conventional means of spraying herbicides / herbicides management. Most oil palm estates are slowly moving into mechanised means of spraying herbicides on young and mature oil palm trees. However, knapsack sprayers are still required for use at the field for immature oil palm trees. This is because after planting, the oil palm fronds will be close to the ground and hence not accessible for machines to drive through the paths for spraying purposes.

The ATTILA by RB Spray Tech Sdn. Bhd. is a spinning disc sprayer for the controlled droplet application of herbicides. [Source: https://www.rbspraytech.com/our-products/handheld- cda-sprayers/atila-cda]. See Figure 2.

Another type of herbicides sprayer machine currently used in the oil palm estates is as per Figure 3.

Chinese Utility Model CN212753947U describes a medicament application technology field, claims an agricultural herbicide spraying device, comprising a motor; a nozzle and a bottom plate; the output end of the motor is fixedly connected with the first bevel gear; the first bevel gear is engaged with the second bevel gear; the lower side of the motor is fixedly connected with the mixing box; the left side of the mixing box is provided with a feeding port; the lower side of the mixing box is fixedly connected with the bottom plate; the right side of the upper end of the bottom plate is fixedly connected with a vertical plate; the left side of the vertical plate is fixedly connected with the second liquid outlet pipe; the right end pipeline of the second liquid outlet pipe is connected with the spraying frame; the left end pipeline of the second liquid outlet pipe is connected with the cylinder body; the left side pipeline of the cylinder body is connected with the first liquid outlet pipe; the left side of the first liquid outlet pipe is embedded in the mixing box; the lower side of the cylinder body is fixedly connected with the bottom plate; the inner wall of the cylinder body is slidingly connected with the piston. The utility model has simple structure, using mechanical structure to implement mixing and extruding spraying process of the herbicide, saving the administration time, and convenient to move, greatly reducing the physical strength of the worker, with available value in the medicine application technology field. This prior art does not describe the sprayer assembly of the present invention.

Chinese Utility Model CN212728568U describes a chemical herbicide spraying device for forestry, comprising a spraying box, spraying box front side surface and left and right two side surfaces are respectively fixedly connected with vertical slide rail in the vertical direction; the vertical slide rail is slidingly installed with a vertical electric sliding cylinder, and each side of the spraying box surface is provided with two vertical electric sliding cylinder; the vertical electric sliding cylinder is located on the same horizontal height; the side surface of the vertical electric sliding cylinder is fixedly connected with a transverse sliding rail; the transverse sliding rail is surrounded on the front side of the spraying box and left and right two side surfaces; and two ends of the transverse sliding rail are respectively fixedly connected ■with a limiting block; the transverse sliding rail is slidingly installed with a transverse electric sliding cylinder; the outer side surface of the transverse electric sliding cylinder is fixedly connected with a spraying pipe; the outer side surface of the spraying pipe is fixedly installed with a nozzle; the lower part of the spraying box is fixedly connected with a liner; the right side in the liner is fixedly connected with a connecting pipe; the middle part of the connecting pipe is fixedly installed with a water pump. The utility model realizes spraying chemical herbicide in multiple directions; it saves time and labour; and the spraying range is wider; the effect is better and the practicability is strong. This prior art does not describe the sprayer assembly of the present invention.

Chinese Utility Model CN212660930U claims a forestry chemical herbicide spraying device, belonging to the technical field of forestry treatment, comprising a base, the upper end of the base is fixedly embedded with a medicine mixing tank, the medicine mixing tank is provided with a double-layer filter screen cloth, the. inner side, of the double-layer filter screen cloth is equipped with a mixing medicine mixing frame; the lower end of the medicine mixing tank is connected with a medicine conveying pump; two ends of the medicine conveying pump are connected with a medicine conveying pipe; the front end of the medicine conveying pipe is connected with a spraying machine; the lower end of the spraying machine is connected with a medicine spraying disc. The utility model has novel design, convenient operation and good use effect; it can perform self-dispensing, and the dispensing speed is fast; the medicine is fully mixed enough, improving the dissolving rate of the medicine, and can uniformly spray weeding agent in large area, improving the working efficiency; it also can fully filter the medicine slag generated after finishing the solid medicine dispensing, preventing the dregs from blocking the spraying hole. This prior art does not describe the sprayer assembly of the present invention.

Chinese Utility Model CN212260263U claims a herbicide uniformly spraying device, comprising a bearing bottom plate; the left side surface of the top end of the bearing bottom plate is provided with a medicine box body; the middle surface of the top end of the medicine box body is provided with a stirring motor; one end of the stirring motor is rotatably connected with a stirring shaft; the outer surface of the stirring shaft is provided with a plurality of stirring blades; one side of the stirring shaft is provided with a brush frame; the right side surface of the top end of the bearing bottom plate is provided with a supporting frame; the middle surface of the top end of the supporting frame is provided with a lifting motor; one end of the lifting motor is rotatably connected with a screw rod; two sides of the screw rod are provided with a light rod sliding rail; the outer part of the screw rod is connected with a lifting base matched with the outer part of the polished rod sliding rail; the top part of the lifting base is provided with a spraying water pipe; the herbicide is uniformly spraying device, effectively preventing the herbicide precipitation and hanging wall; the herbicide proportion after stirring is more uniform, further improving the herbicidal effect; it is convenient to adjust the different herbicide spraying height matched with the height of the grass, improving the use range. This prior art does not describe the sprayer assembly of the present invention.

Chinese Utility Model CN211881881U relates to the technical field of herbicide, and claims a forestry chemical herbicide spraying device, comprising a liquid storage box body, the right side of the liquid storage box body is fixedly connected with a motor box. the forest chemical herbicide spraying device; the stirring motor drives the stirring rod to rotate; the stirring rod drives the stirring impeller to stir the herbicide; the stirring stirring impeller is driven to rotate; the stirring hopper is mainly used for stirring the sediments at the suspended part and the bottom of the top part of the liquid storage box body; mixing the suspended substance and precipitate with the herbicide main body, reducing the production of suspended substance and precipitate; the stirring and mixing effect is better; by rotating the horizontal spraying pipe and the centralized spraying pipe, making the joint or centralized spraying joint corresponding to the transfusion pipe; switching different spraying modes; is suitable for large-sheet lawn, spraying suitable strip-shaped lawn belt; it can save herbicide, reduce waste, the herbicide spraying device, stirring and mixing effect is good, and it is convenient to change the spraying mode. This prior art does not describe the sprayer assembly of the present invention.

Chinese Utility Model CNsii^ggg^oU claims an agricultural herbicide spraying device, comprising a base, a first motor and a second motor; the top end of the base is fixedly installed with a spraying box; and the inner part of the spraying box is provided with a stirring mechanism; the right side of the spraying box is provided with a spraying water pipe; the left side of the top end of the spraying box is provided with a water inlet mechanism; the right side of the top end of the spraying box is provided with a discharging mechanism. The utility model is provided with a stirring mechanism; the effect of mixing the medicine and water is better; the efficiency of weeding is better; the discharging mechanism can be injected into the inner part of the spraying box by the medicine; then the water enters into the spraying box through the water inlet pipe; at the same time, when the water in the spraying box is full, the water faces the baffle to extrude, then the baffle is rotated, the baffle is closed to the water inlet pipe, the water is continuously injected into the interior of the spraying box; the water and the medicament can be mixed; the water and medicament can be automatically injected; it reduces the manual operation, and it is convenient to use. This prior art does not describe the sprayer assembly of the present invention.

Chinese Utility Model CN210901115U relates to the technical field of agricultural machinery, and claims an agricultural mechanical equipment for herbicide spraying, comprising a mounting plate, the bottom of the mounting plate is fixedly connected with a combination plate, the left and right sides of the binding plate are fixedly connected with a driving motor; the driving motor far away from output end of one side is fixedly connected with a rotating rod, the rotating rod is fixedly connected with a rotating wheel far away from one end of the drive motor, the top of the mounting plate is fixedly connected with a water storage tank, the top of the water tank is fixedly connected with a water injection pipeline; the water storage tank of left and right two sides are fixedly connected with the water pump. The utility model rod traction force by the driving motor controls the rotation cam to rotate, the rotation of the force the cam intermittent stress stress block, so transmission plate under the action of the reset spring pulls out the water pipes to carry out reciprocating action, so as to improve the effect of the whole spraying quality and efficiency by reciprocating motion of the spraying structure. This prior art does not describe the sprayer assembly of the present invention.

Chinese Utility Model CN212087774U claims a weeding device for agricultural planting, comprising a barrel body; a spraying rod; the surface of the barrel body is symmetrically provided with a fixing beam; the other end of the fixing beam is provided with a fixing block; the fixing block is provided with a screw rod; the bottom end of the screw rod is provided with a fixing block; two ends of the fixing block are provided with a pulley; the fixing block surface is provided with a holding rod; the holding rod is provided with a fixing plate; the fixing plate is provided with a placing plate; pulley land, convenient for moving the sprinkler; the sprayer moves and sprays the herbicide; the sprayer moves more time-saving and labour-saving; it avoids the shoulder of the user when the knapsack sprayer is stressed for a long time and the pain; the toggle rod at the outer side of the end of the spraying rod is used for pulling the more tightly plant; opening the field of spraying and exposing the tightly covered weeds, convenient spraying herbicide and spraying uniformly, avoiding the condition of omission. This prior art does not describe the sprayer assembly of the present invention.

Malaysian Patent MY161952A describes a knapsack sprayer for spraying a liquid mixture comprising; a tank to store the liquid mixture; a rigid tube; a pump mechanism mounted to the tank to draw the mixture out of the tank to the rigid tube at high velocity; a flexible connecting tube connecting the pump mechanism to the rigid tube: a nozzle screwed to a distal end of the rigid tube to release the mixture as dispersed droplets; characterized in that a containing means to contain a liquid substance is connected to the tank; a valve is provided at the connection of the tank and the containing means to control the amount of substance that flows into the tank; a cu shioning means is attached to the side of the tank that faces the back of the user when the sprayer is in use; a handle and wheels assembly is mounted on the tank; and the rigid tube is adjustable in length. This prior art does not describe the sprayer assembly of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an sprayer assembly for spraying herbicides solution.

The present invention provides a sprayer assembly detachably coupled to a movable apparatus for spraying herbicides, comprising at least one container to hold herbicides solution, at least one pump, at least one spray hose, a plurality of nozzles, at least one sprayer arm, a bumper frame, a rear frame, a top frame, a plurality of pulleys, at least one joint, at least one coupling, at least one spring and at least one arm frame, wherein the at least one pump is to produce pressurised herbicides solution, the at least one spray hose is to carry the pressurised herbicides solution from the at least one container to the plurality of nozzles and the pressurised herbicides solution is released or discharged out from plurality of nozzles in the form of high pressurised droplets.

The present method of assembling a sprayer assembly which is detachably coupled to a movable apparatus for spraying herbicides, comprising assembling together at least one container to hold herbicides solution, at least one pump, at least one spray hose, a plurality of nozzles, at least one sprayer arm, a bumper frame, a rear frame, a top frame, a plurality of pulleys, at least one joint, at least one coupling, at least one spring and at least one arm frame, wherein the at least one pump is to produce pressurised herbicides solution, the at least one spray hose is to cany the pressurised herbicides solution from the at least one container to the plurality of nozzles and the pressurised herbicides solution is released or discharged out from plurality of nozzles in the form of high pressurised droplets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Above recited features of the present invention may have been referred by embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. The appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not considered limiting of its scope as the invention may perform effectively to other equally effective embodiments.

The components or parts of the sprayer assembly of the. present invention are:

• movable apparatus (i);

• at least one container (2) to hold the herbicides solution;

• at least one pump (3);

• at least one spray hose (4);

• a plurality of nozzles (5);

• at least one sprayer arm (6);

• a bumper frame (7);

• a rear frame (8);

• a top frame (9);

• a plurality of pulleys (10);

• at least one joint (11);

• at least one coupling (12); at least one spring (13); and at least one arm frame (14).

These and other features, benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by reference to the following figures:

Figure 1 illustrates a machine system designed, developed and evaluated for circle spraying of oil palms (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) [Source: Scientia Agricola, On-line version ISSN 1678- 992X, Sei. agric. (Piracicaba, Braz.) vol.69 no.2 Piracicaba Mar./Apr. 2012, https://d0i.0rg/10.1590/S0103-90162012000200002].

Figure 2 illustrates the ATTILA by RB Spray Tech Sdn. Bhd. is a spinning disc sprayer for the controlled droplet application of herbicides. [Source: https://www.rbspraytech.com/our- products/handheld-cda-sprayers/atila-cda].

Figure 3 illustrates another type of herbicides sprayer machine currently used in some of the oil palm estates.

Figure 4 illustrates the sprayer assembly of the present invention.

Figure 5 illustrates the side view of the sprayer assembly of the present invention.

Figure 6 illustrates the back view of the sprayer assembly of the present invention.

Figure 7 illustrates the top view of the sprayer assembly of the present invention.

Figure 8 illustrates the sprayer arm (6) and its components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE

PRESENT INVENTION

While the present invention is described herein byway of example using illustrative drawings and embodiments, it should be understood that the detailed description are not intended to limit the invention to embodiments of drawing or drawings described and are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed but in contrary the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternati ves falling within the scope of the present in vention. The present invention is described herein by various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein reference numerals used in the accompanying drawing correspond to the features through the description. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to embodiments set forth herein. Therefore, embodiments are provided so that this disclosure would be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of invention to those skilled in the art. Numeric values and ranges and materials as provided in the detailed description are to be treated as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Terminology and phraseology used herein is solely used for descriptive purposes and is not intended as limiting in scope. The words such as “including”, “comprising”, “haring”, “containing” or “involring” and other variations is intended to be broad and cover the subject matter as described including equivalents and additional subject matter not recited such as other components or steps. . Background

W eeds in oil palm are such as grasses, broad-leaf weeds, creeping and woody type weeds, ferns, epiphytes and others. Weed management is important for oil palm growth, hence, the area around the oil palm tree must be free of growth of weeds especially for young palms to ensure the roots are not in competition with the weed. Application of herbicides to control growth of weeds have become common over the years. Weed management is important as weeds can affect the growth of the oil palm trees by reducing its oil yield and growth as the oil palm trees are in competition with the weeds for nutrient, water, sunlight and space to grow as weeds require substantial amounts of nutrients for growth.

Weeds are plants growing in areas where they are not wanted and are more harmful than useful, even after their possible beneficial effects have been taken into account - (Koch et al, 1983). Chung (1997) reported that since weeds can reduce crop growth and yield, interfere with harvesting, crop recovery and other agricultural operations, control measures are necessary. According to Corley et al. (1976), the following four types of weeding operations will be necessary in areas where legume covers are maintained:

• circle weeding of palm circles - for young palms, circle weeding is normally carried out to prevent weed competition;

• strip weeding to provide access for harvesting and other field operations - more relevant for mature palms; • selective spot weeding to remove noxious weeds from the legume covers or natural ground covers; and

• periodic control of legume covers if growth is too vigourous - de-creeping for example. [Source: http://www.aarsb.com.my/establishment-weeding-operations-in-immature-oil-palms]

The agriculture sector remains a significant development factor in Malaysia. Oil palm and rubber are the two major crops contributing to national development in terms of export earnings, and rice is vital for the national food consumption. However, weeds continue to be an important constraint for oil palm, rubber, and rice production. Weed management in Malaysia is highly reliant on herbicides; however, other control measures are integrated, including cultural, physical, biological, and mechanical methods. Thus, herbicides accounted for 83% of the total pesticide usage in the year 2014.

[Source: Weed management issues, challenges, and opportunities in Malaysia, September 2Oi Crop Protection 134, DOI : 10.1016/j. er opro.2017.08.027]

The tropical climate zone which receives high rainfall and good sunlight is conducive for oil palm cultivation. At the same time these natural factors are also highly conducive for weed growth. Weeds can affect crop in many ways such as nutrient and water competition, yield reduction and retarding palm growth. Several species of weeds have been reported to cause adverse effect on oil palm yields.

[Source: CABI, https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/20113086117]

Issues currently faced by the industry pertaining to the manual means of herbicides spraying are as follows

• With current situation whereby the industry is facing shortage of workers, labour intensive works such as herbicides spraying has become an issue.

• Apart from that, the manual spraying requires the usage of 16L knapsack sprayers which are carried on the backs of the workers for long time and distances.

• Worker’s exposure to the herbicides is also a serious matter of concern to the health of the workers.

Oil palm estates in Malaysia and Indonesia mostly use herbicides as it the most cost effective way to get rid of the weeds. Manual weeding is expensive and regeneration of the weeds are faster, hence, the high reliance on herbicides. Most common way for spraying herbicides are via lever-operated knapsack sprayers which are done manually by the workers. Herbicides can be obtained in either liquid or powder versions which are then mixed with water to obtain herbicides solution. Some machines have been tested for herbicides spraying in coastal estates, however, knapsack sprayers are still commonly used in inland estates due to its difficult / challenging terrains.

The oil palm industry is very dependent on labour and requires many workers for its operations. Complete reliance on foreign workers is not an ultimate solution but only a temporary measure. In the face of raising labour issues such as labour costs, mechanisation and automation programmes are being ramped up by industry players to tackle the associated labour issues. The mechanisation of the oil palm sector is not considered as a luxury, but an imperative and is vital for industrial players to pursue further as the oil palm sector could be helped with more efficient use of labour and reduced dependence on foreign workers. [Source: theedgemarkets.com]

The labour shortfall is adding urgency to longstanding plans for industry mechanisation. Sime Darby Plantation (SDP), the world's biggest palm oil company by land size, is hastening development and trials to deploy light machines that will aid in field upkeep, removing harvested crops and applying fertiliser. It is also turning to remote sensing and artificial intelligence to drive precision farming, making the most efficient use of farm inputs and field workers. IOI said it has a revitalised mechanisation plan, and aims to mechanise fertilising and pesticide spraying as well as automate mill operations, while FGV Holdings plans to mechanise an extra 30,000 ha over the next three years. Malaysia on average allots one worker for every 8 ha, but the Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA) wants a "quantum leap" in technology that would double the land area for each worker to 16 ha. This would reduce reliance on labour, which accounts for around 30 per cent of production costs.

[Source: Malaysia's palm oil industry trying to hire local workers, 19 August 2020]

The labour shortage issue faced by the domestic plantation industry is expected to reduce productivity and harvesting even further during the peak cycle season at the end of the year 2020. MPOA states that local planters have already lost up to about 25% of potential yield throughout the series of Movement Control Orders (MCOs) right to the current Recovery MCO (RMCO) in the year 2020, without the services of some 37,000 foreign workers who had been sent home during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

[Source: Labour shortage heightens losses in palm oil yield, 14 September 2020]

The persistent Covid-19 situation continues to affect the rising crude palm oil (CPO) yields of the palm oil producers in the country due to labour shortage. The labour shortage issue remains unresolved and is getting worse, resulting in production losses. To-date, there has been a freeze on the intake of foreign workers since the first movement control order which was imposed on March 18 2020. CGS-CIMB Research pointed out that SDP’s workforce in Malaysia hovers between 75% and 80% of its total requirement. Meanwhile, FGV Holdings Bhd’s workforce stands at only 75% of requirement, which is a significant decline from 90% at the end of the third quarter last year, it added. According to a pre-MCO survey by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board, there was a shortage of 31,021 harvesters among its respondents, which represents 76% of the industry players. CGS-CIMB Research said it was estimated that the shortage of workers translated into a production loss of 3.4 million tonnes and 0.86 million tonnes of CPO and palm kernel, respectively.

[Source: Labour shortage getting worse in palm plantations, Star, 2 June 2021]

B. Objectives of the present invention

The oil palm industry is labour-intensive which requires many workers for the various parts of operations in the oil palm estates. This present invention focuses on the improvement or mechanisation of herbicides spraying and application in the oil palm estates. The conventional method of herbicides weeding is very much labour intensive and productivity per worker is roughly about 4 ha/day and requires a gang of 6 to 8 workers to cover 25 ha to 28 ha per day.

Weeding is important to ensure no competition for soil nutrients, water and sunlight between the weeds and oil palm trees. It is also important to ensure circles around the palms are free for crop recovery and accessibility. As the oil palm industry is very dependent on labour, it is crucial to contribute in solving the current issue with regards to shortage of the workers in the oil palm estates as labour issues will reduce productivity and harvesting. This present invention provides a means to address the labour issue to allow the oil palm industry to operate as how it should without being heavily dependent on labour.

The objectives of the present invention are to provide an herbicides sprayer assembly which is:

• a mechanised means for spraying of herbicides solution (herbicides mixed with water) on targeted areas in the oil palm estates for efficient and effective weeding management via circle weeding and/or strip weeding based on needs and requirements of individual oil palm estates; suitable for use at both coastal estates (which consist of flat and undulating terrains) and inland estates (estates with difficult terrains); • efficient and allows smooth spraying of herbicides solution specifically at estates with difficult terrains;

• able to achieve a minimum or at least 15 ha/day/worker using a mechanical buffalo as the movable apparatus (at estates with difficult terrains) with tank capacity of between 300L to 400L and more than 15 ha/day/worker using a bigger movable apparatus such as a tractor or movable apparatus with larger tank capacity at estates with flat terrains;

• able to discharge or spread herbicides solution to a width range of at least 7 feet to 8 feet wide (2m to 2.5m wide) or more for weeding management purposes;

• safe means for herbicides spraying as the workers will be safe from exposure to hazardous chemicals (herbicides) during preparation of the herbicides solution and also to herbicides drift during spraying which is common to happen during manual spraying of herbicides;

• easy to maintain, safe to use, stable, can operate smoothly and is sustainable;

• able to provi de a ratio of workers using a mechanical buffalo with tank capacity of between 300L to 400 L as the movable apparatus with the sprayer assembly of the present invention vs. the knapsack sprayer of a minimum (of at least) 1: 5 workers and this ratio is greater if bigger movable apparatus with larger tank capacity is used especially in estates with flat terrains; and

• mechanised means for spraying herbicides solution for weeding management purposes which ultimately is able to eliminate manual means of doing so for both coastal and inland estates.

C. Benefits of the present invention

Based on the expertise, observation and testing by the inventors to operate the sprayer assembly of the present invention for spraying herbicides in the most efficient way as possible based on intended results, practicality of ground conditions and cost effectiveness, the following were observed: -

- the sprayer assembly of the present invention provides a means to eliminate entirely manual spraying of herbicides solution using knapsack sprayer; - the herbicides sprayer assembly of the present invention can be used in both coastal estates or estates with flat terrains and inland estates (terrains and field accessibility more challenging than coastal estates), focusing on smooth operability specifically at estates with difficult terrains;

- any types of movable apparatus (i) can be used with the sprayer assembly of the present invention depending on individual estates’ requirements;

- the sprayer assembly of the present invention using a mechanical buffalo with tank capacity of 300L to 400L as the movable apparatus (1) is able to achieve a minimum coverage of 15 ha/ day per worker (at estates with difficult terrains or inland estates) in comparison to manual means of using knapsack sprayer which is only able to cover a 3 ha/day to 4 ha/day per worker (for estates with flat terrains) - the productivity is increased by a minimum or at least 5 times using the sprayer assembly of the present invention as opposed to conventional means of using knapsack sprayer. Productivity is much higher if a bigger movable apparatus (1) is used specifically at estates with flat terrains;

- the sprayer assembly of the present invention is suitable for circle and/or strip herbicides spraying;

- the herbicides sprayer assembly of the present invention can be adjusted to conduct spraying on one. side only (i.e. left or right) per spraying cycle, or from side to side ((i.e. left side first, then right side and vice versa) for each spraying cycle which can be controlled using control valves as contained in the movable apparatus (1);

- the sprayer assembly of the present invention is easy to move / manoeuvre in the oil palm estates - for both coastal and inland estates, specifically focusing on smooth movement and operability at estates with difficult terrains;

- the sprayer assembly of the present invention has flexible horizontal arms (the at least one sprayer arm (6)) which are foldable and retractable when not in use (for ease of parking at designated areas when not in use) and the arms are extendable and locked with pins when being used in the estates. Further, the flexible horizontal arms (the at least one sprayer arm (6)) is capable of returning back to its original position without being damaged when the at least one sprayer arm (6) hits any object such as another vehicle or the oil palm trees in the estates; - the sprayer assembly of the present invention is able to provide spraying of highly pressurised herbicides solution through the at least one spray hose (4) with a width coverage of between 7 to 8 feet (2.0m to 2.5m) wide which is sufficient for use at oil palm estates;

- the plurality of pulleys (10) is able to operate the sprayer assembly of the present invention without the need of using a battery or alternator, hence suitable for long hours of operations in the estates;

- the sprayer assembly of the present invention is safe, user friendly and ergonomic for use by the workers in the oil palm estates for spraying herbicides solution;

- 1 worker is sufficient to perform the weeding operations as required by the oil palm estates on a daily basis using 1 sprayer assembly of the present invention;

- any tank or container (2) design and shape (such as a circular shaped tank or a rectangular shaped tank or others) can be used for the herbicides sprayer assembly of the present invention depending on the needs and preference of the user of the present invention. The inventors of the present invention prefer a rectangle shape container (2) or tank with at least two compartments (or partitions) as divided inside the container (2) for flowing of herbicides solution from one compartment to the other until it reaches the at least one spray hose (4) for being discharged on the weeds. The organised flow from one compartment to the other provides additional stability to the movable apparatus (1) as compared to having a tank without any compartment specifically at when in use at estates with difficult terrains to ensure good balance and stability when the movable apparatus (1) operates and manoeuvres at estates with difficult terrains;

- the operator is safe from chemical drift as opposed to manual means of using knapsack spraying where the operator is easily exposed to hazardous herbicides solution which is harmful to the health of the operator and in some instance could be d eadly; and

- easy and cheap to manufacture and modify the sprayer assembly of the present invention according to the needs and preference of the user of the present i nvention.

D. The Present Invention

The components or parts of the sprayer assembly of the present invention are:

• at least one container (2) to hold the herbicides solution; • at least one pump (3);

• at least one spray hose (4);

• a plurality of nozzles (5);

• at least one sprayer arm (6);

• a bumper frame (7);

• a rear frame (8);

• a top frame (9);

• a plurality of pulleys (10);

• at least one joint (11);

• at least one coupling (12);

• at least one spring (13); and

• at least one arm frame (14).

The present invention generally relates to an herbicides sprayer assembly for weeding management purposes. The present invention provides an improved means for spraying herbicides, rather than manual means or convention means of using knapsack sprayers to do the spraying.

Figure 4 illustrates the herbicides sprayer assembly of the present invention whereby a sprayer assembly is detachably coupled to a movable apparatus (1), comprising at least one container (2) to hold herbicides solution, at least one pump (3), at least one spray hose (4), plurality of nozzles (5), at least one sprayer arm (6), a bumper frame (7), a rear frame (8), a top frame (9), plurality of pulleys (10), at least one joint (11), at least one coupling (12), at least one spring (13) and at least one arm frame (14) for spraying herbicides.

All prior arts as listed and referred to above do not specifically describe the sprayer assembly of the present invention. Apart from that, it is also not obvious by just reading the prior art documents or information as listed above for experts in the field of interest to derive the sprayer assembly of the present invention as the parameters for the sprayer assembly for spraying herbicides solution have been determined by the inventors based on numerous trials conducted, observations and discussions with combined expertise and experience in this field, which parameters and/or combination could not be determined without much efforts, testing and/or analysis or by just reviewing prior art documents in this field of interest. Hence, there remains a need in the art to provide a herbicides sprayer assembly per present invention with benefits and objectives as further described below which cannot be found from the prior art documents, hence, the inventors believe that this invention is novel and inventive. Figure 5 illustrates the side view of the sprayer assembly of the present invention. Figure 6 illustrates the back view of the sprayer assembly of the present invention. Figure 7 illustrates the top view of the sprayer assembly of the present invention. Figure 8 illustrates the sprayer arm (6) and its components. The novel and unique aspects of the sprayer assembly of the present invention focuses on the flexible horizontal arms (the at least one sprayer arm (6)) which is foldable and retractable (for ease of parking at designated area when not in use), the arms are extendable and locked with pins when being used and the flexible horizontal arms is able to return back to its original position without being damaged when the at least one sprayer arm (6) hits any objects such as another vehicle or the oil palm trees in the estates. This allows for efficient and effective use of the herbicides sprayer specifically at estates with difficult / rough terrains to eliminate manual means of herbicides spraying for weed management purposes. Also, for operations at inland estates it is preferred for the tank or container (2) used comes with at least two compartments (or partitions) or more. The organised flow from one compartment to the other provides additional stability to the movable apparatus (1) as compared to havi ng a tank without any compartment (or partitions) specifically at estates with difficult terrains to ensure good balance and stability when the movable apparatus (1) operates and manoeuvres at these estates.

The ATTILA by RB Spray Tech Sdn. Bhd. (Figure 2) is a spinning disc sprayer for the controlled droplet application of herbicides is the closest prior art to the sprayer assembly of the present invention [Source: https://www.rbspraytech.com/our-products/handheld-cda- sprayers/atila-cda]. The spinning disc sprayer here uses batteries and gravity flow mechanism with ultra-low volume (ULV) (25L/ha) calibration to reduce water usage which results in 1 worker having 10L per sprayer. 1 worker can cover about 6 ha/day for an 8 hour working period. The ULV dispersions is very fine about 50 microns which is easily drifted by the wind. This prior art does not describe the sprayer assembly of the present invention.

According to Figures 4 to 8, the present invention provides a sprayer assembly detachably coupled to a movable apparatus (1) for spraying herbicides, comprising at least one container (2) to hold herbicides solution, at least one pump (3), at least one spray hose (4), a plurality of nozzles (5), at least one sprayer arm (6), a bumper frame (7), a rear frame (8), a top frame (9), a plurality of pulleys (10), at least one joint (11), at least one coupling (12), at least one spring (13) and at least one arm frame (14), wherein the at least one pump (3) is to produce pressurised herbicides solution, the at least one spray hose (4) is to carry the pressurised herbicides solution from the at least one container (2) to the plurality of nozzles (5) and the pressurised herbicides solution is released or discharged out from plurality of nozzles (5) in the form of high pressurised droplets. The present invention provides farther provides a method of assembling a sprayer assembly which is detachably coupled to a movable apparatus (1) for spraying herbicides, comprising assembling together at least one container (2) to hold herbicides solution, at least one pump (3), at least one spray hose (4), a plurality of nozzles (5), at least one sprayer arm (6), a bumper frame (7), a rear frame (8), a top frame (9), a plurality of pulleys (10), at least one joint (11), at least one coupling (12), at least one spring (13) and at least one arm frame (14), wherein the at least one pump (3) is to produce pressurised herbicides solution, the at least one spray hose (4) is to cany the pressurised herbicides solution from the at least one container (2) to the plurality of nozzles (5) and the pressurised herbicides solution is released or discharged out from plurality of nozzles (5) in the form of high pressurised droplets.

Any type of movable apparatus (1) can be used for the present invention. The movable apparatus (1) of the present invention can be a three-wheeler or four-wheeler and can be selected based on ground conditions, accessibility and affordability of individual estates based on needs and preference of the user of the sprayer assembly of the present invention, such as the mechanical buffalo, tractor, 4M crane and others. The movable apparatus (1) are chosen based on the terrains of the oil palm estates as long the movable apparatus (1) does not cause any damage at the travelling path and also safe and stable with good manoeuvrability for use at the intended areas. Speed of the movable apparatus (1) is preferably in a range of between 4 km/h to 7 km/h which is enough to provide sufficient and efficient spraying to arrive at the claimed benefits and advantages of the present invention.

The challenge here is to access challenging / difficult terrains at inland estates and the sprayer assembly of the present invention has proven that it is efficient, effective, smooth and easy to manoeuvre at estates ■with difficult terrains. Mechanical buffalo is smaller than a tractor hence is more suitable to be used at the inland estates as opposed to using a tractor. Usage of the sprayer assembly of the present invention is able to eliminate completely herbicides spraying using manual means (i.e. knapsack spraying means) at both the inland and coastal estates.

Herbicides are firstly mixed with water and added into the at least one tank or container (2). The tank capacity will depend on the movable apparatus (1) used for the present invention depending on the preference and user. The calibrated dosage and amount of the herbicides solution is based on requirements of each individual estates as determined by the type of herbicides used, manufacturers and experts in the field of interest. Calibrated amount means predetermined amount of herbicides mixed with water required for the purposes of the present invention - for application of herbicides solution at the specified rate to the target surface where the weeds are present. Calibrated amount is important to ensure correct amount is sprayed without wastage and also that the herbicides dosage is effective to kill / poison the weeds. This will depend on the recommendation of expertise depending on types and brands of herbicides to be used depending on the preference of the user of the sprayer assembly of the present invention.

The sprayer assembly of the present invention is preferably to be calibrated prior to being used (on a daily basis or as when required based on preference and needs of the user of the present invention) to ensure the correct dosage, amount of herbicides solution required and spraying application rate per hectare (L/ha) are determined and set for the most effective and efficient spraying of herbicides to the targeted areas in the oil palm estates.

The at least one tank or container (2) is to store the herbicides solution (herbicides mixed with water). The amount of herbicides solution to be stored in the at least one tank or container (2) is based on the size of the movable apparatus (1) and loading capacity subject to the preference and needs of the user. The at least one tank or container (2) of the present invention can be in any shape (such as rectangle or circle or others) as preferred by the user of the sprayer assembly of the present invention. However, the inventors of this present invention prefer for the container to be a rectangle shape container (2) with at least two compartments (or partitions) as divided inside the container (2) for flowing of herbicides solution from one compartment to the other until it reaches the at least one spray hose (4) for being discharged on the weeds. The organised flow from one compartment to the other provides additional stability to the movable apparatus (1) as compared to having a tank without any compartment specifically at estates with difficult terrains (inland estates) to ensure good balance and stability when the movable apparatus (1) operates and manoeuvres at estates with difficult terrains.

For the purposes to demonstrate, the sprayer assembly of the present invention, the. container (2) with a range capacity of between 300L to 400L is used for spraying the herbicides solution at estates with difficult terrains to show effectiveness of this herbicides sprayer assembly at both coastal and inland estates. For inland estates or estates with difficult terrains, mechanical buffalo is preferred as the movable apparatus (1) due to the challenging terrains of the inland estates hence the capacity of the container (2) as mentioned above. The load can be increased up to i,oooL for spraying of herbicides solution at coastal estates or estates with flat terrains as essentially larger movable, apparatus (1) (such as a tractor) will be used at estates with flat terrains. A tractor is suitable and more preferred to be used at coastal estates (estates with flat terrains) rather than inland estates (estates with difficult terrains) due to its size and capacity. When the at least one tank or container (2) is empty (after each spraying cycle), the operator will drive the movable apparatus (i) to the designated area for refiling purposes and to begin operations all over again for at least an 8-hour working period.

Based on the expertise, observation and testing by the inventors of the present invention, any type of spraying nozzles (5) can be used depending on preference and needs of the user as long as it is able to withstand discharge or spraying of pressurised herbicides solution such as copper cone jet nozzle, plastic cone jet, fat jet or others based on preference of the user of the present invention. The spray application rate is in a range of between 150 L/ha to 250 L/ha, preferably around 20C)L/ha to achieve the required spraying efficiency. This spray application rate provides sufficient wetting or drenching of the weeds with the herbicides solution as determined by numerous testing and trials by the inventors of the present invention. However, the spray application rate per hectare (L/ha) may vary per estate basis depending on each estate’s requirements and as determi ned by the user of the herbicides sprayer assembly of the present invention. Based on this application rate, 2 to 5 seconds is enough for sufficient spraying of the herbicides solution for weeding purposes to drench the weeds with adequate amount required without the need for the movable apparatus (1) to stop for spraying of the herbicides solution.

The spraying can be controlled by means of a lever as contained in the movable apparatus (1) to be continuous as long as required and to stop spraying at vacant areas where there are no weeds present to prevent wastage of the herbicides solution. At least one control lever or on/off button or valve is required for the present invention to control the spraying of the herbicides solution from the plurality of spraying nozzles (5) on the weeds.

For the purposes of the present invention, at least one water pump (3) is used to pump the herbicides solution in a pressure range of between 20 kg/cm² to 35 kg/cm² (285 psi to 498 psi), to be carried via the at least one spray hose (4) from the at least one container (2) to the plurality of nozzles (5) to spray or discharge herbicides solution on the weeds. At least one water pump is sufficient, preferably a high-pressurised water pump but 2 or more can used based on the preference and needs of the user of the present invention.

The present invention has at least one sprayer arm (6), preferably on both left and right sides of the movable apparatus (1). The sprayer arm (6) is a horizontal arm can be fully horizontal at a 90° angle relative to the longitudinal central axis A or can also be slightly curved away from the movable apparatus (1) at an angle of more than 90° but less than 135⁰ relative to the longitudinal central axis A depending on the preference and needs of the user of the present invention. For operations at estates with difficult terrains, it is preferable for the sprayer arm (6) to be slightly curved instead of at an exact 90° angle relative to the longitudinal axis A to provide flexibility to the sprayer arm (6) to bend and return back to its original position when the sprayer arm (6) hits other objects such as other vehicles or the oil palm trees in the estates.

The flexible sprayer arm (6) is foldable and retractable (for ease of parking at designated area when not in use), the arms are extendable and locked with pins when being used and the flexible horizontal arms is able to return back to its original position without being damaged when the at least one sprayer arm (6) hits any objects such as another vehicle or the oil palm trees in the estates. This allows for efficient and effective use of the herbicides sprayer specifically at estates with difficult / rough terrains to eliminate manual means of herbicides spraying for weed management purposes.

The flexibility of the sprayer arm (6) is provided by the at least one spring (13) such as a coil spring or spiral spring, preferably a coil spring (13) to allow the sprayer arm (6) together with the at least one spray hose (4) as contained within or disposed within the at least one sprayer arm (6) to return back to the original position when the at least one sprayer arm (6) hits any objects in the estates, to prevent any damage to the at least one sprayer arm (6) when used in the estates with difficult or sometimes narrow terrains. The at least one spring (13), preferably a coil spring also functions to absorb shock when the pressurised herbicides solution are released or sprayed from the at least one spray hose (4) to prevent damage to the at least one spray hose (4) and the at least one sprayer arm (6).

The at least one sprayer arm (6) is surrounded or encircled by a rod with diameter in a range of between 6mm to 9mm as a protection mechanism which further protects the sprayer arm (6) from damage when collides with other objects in the estates such as with another vehicle or the oil palm trees. 8mm diameter rod is used for the present invention as determined to be sufficient based on the testing by the inventors of the present invention. Any type or design of the sprayer arm (6) can be used - closed-up or open frame design, depending on the preference of the user of the present invention. Open frame is preferred by the inventors of the present invention as this design would assist in the daily inspection of the at least one spray hose (4) to ensure there are no leakages or damage to the at least one spray hose (4) and also for ease of daily maintenance.

The at least one spray hose (4) used is strong and flexible and able to withstand discharging highly pressurised herbicides solution from the plurality of nozzles (5). The at least one spray hose (4) used for this present invention is a flexible spray hose, preferably a flexible air spray hose (made from material such nitrile or other flexible materials) for spraying of the highly pressurised herbicides solution and also to ensure that when the sprayer arm frame (6) hits the oil palm trees in the estates, the spray hose (4) as contained inside the sprayer arm frame

(6) is able to return back to its original position. The inventors of the present invention have used a spray hose (4) with a diameter in range of between 8.0 mm to 8.5 mm which works well to release or spray the highly pressurised herbicides solution on the weeds.

The at least one spray hose (4) is to cany the highly pressurised herbicides solution from the at least one container (2) to the plurality of nozzles (5)- The plurality of nozzles (5) function to control flow rate of the herbicides solution and to convert the herbicides solution into droplets to be sprayed or discharged out from the plurality of nozzles (5)-

The at least one joint (11) comprises a first joint (11’) and a second joint (11”). Any type of joint

(11) or connector can be used for the purposes of this present invention, however T-joint is preferred whereby the joints are located at least at right angles to each other. T-joint is preferred for there to be at least three nozzles (5) per at least one sprayer arm (6) for a more effective and efficient spraying of the herbicides solution on the weeds. Based on the testing of the inventors of the present invention, it is preferred for this apparatus to have at least three nozzles (5) per side for the most effective spraying of the herbicides solution which is able to provide a spraying width coverage in a range of between 7 to 8 feet (2.0m to 2.5m) wide. More than three nozzles (5) per side can be used based on the preference of the user of the present invention.

The at least one spray hose (4) is divided into at least two parts. The first part of the at least one spray hose (4) is pivotally coupled to the at least one container (2) on a first end and to the at least one spring (13) on a second end by means of at least one coupling (12). The at least one spring (13) is pivotally coupled to the first joint (11’) which is pivotally coupled to a first end of the second part of the at least one spray hose (4) by means of the at least one coupling

(12). The second end of the second part of the at least one spray hose (4) is pivotally coupled to a second joint (11”) having the plurality of nozzles (5). The plurality of nozzles (5) are facing downwards and/or sideways for spraying or discharging the herbicides solution.

The bumper frame (7) is to protect the movable apparatus (1) from damage. The bumper frame

(7) is a protection mechanism which functions to protect the movable apparatus (1) when the movable apparatus (1) collides with other objects such as other vehicles and oil palm trees in the estate. The at least one rear frame (8) is pivotally coupled to the movable apparatus (i) on one end and to the first part of the at least one sprayer arm (6) on other end by means of at least one coupling (12). The at least one arm frame (14) is pivotally coupled to the first part of the at least one sprayer arm (6) on one end and to the rear frame (8) on other end. The at least one arm frame (14) is foldable and retractable. The top frame (9) is to hold the at least one container (2) in its position.

The at least one rear frame (8) forms the main component of the apparatus which is attached to the movable apparatus (1) on one end and to the at least one sprayer arm (6) on the other end by means of connectors such as pins. The at least one rear frame (8), preferably two rear frame (8) functions as a support frame and provides solid support to the at least one sprayer arm (6).

The at least one arm frame (14) which is connected on one end to the at least one sprayer arm (6) and to the rear frame (8) on the other end is foldable and retractable. This allows for the at least one sprayer arm (6) to be folded towards the back of the movable apparatus (1) when not in use. The at least one arm frame (14) can be extended / stretched out and locked with pins when used for spraying herbicides solution in the estates.

A top frame (9) to provide support to the at least one container (2) so that the container (2) sits solidly on the movable apparatus (1).

Plurality of pulleys (10) creates and transfers power / energy and functions as a guide to the engine drive belt. When the engine of the movable apparatus (1) operates, the crank pulley will rotate and transfer the rotational energy generated by the engine to run other parts of the sprayer assembly of the present invention, hence suitable for long hours of operations in the estates.

This present invention is illustrated using mechanical buffalo as the movable apparatus (1) for operations in inland estates (estate with difficult terrains). Height of the at least one sprayer arm (6) from the ground is in a range of between 0.8m to 1.2m. The height about im is sufficient as tested and determined by the inventors of the present invention. More than 1.2m is not preferred to prevent drifting of the herbicides solution by wind which would cause inefficient spraying of herbicides solution on the weeds. The diameter of the at least one sprayer arm (6) is in a range of between 55 mm to 65 mm, preferably around 60mm for the purposes of the present invention. This range is selected based on the testing of the inventors of the present invention which is suitable and sufficient to protect the at least one spray hose (4) as contained inside or disposed within the at least one sprayer arm (6).

Length of the at least one sprayer arm (6) from the movable apparatus (1) is in a range of between 1.5m to 2.5m. The length of each sprayer arm (6) used to demonstrate the purposes of the present invention is in a range of between 1.5m to 1.7m as used in the inland estates. Horizontal length of the apparatus from left side to right side (or vice versa) is in a range of between 4m to 8m. The length of the at least one sprayer arm (6) is adjustable depending on whether the herbicides sprayer assembly of the present invention is being used in inland or coastal estates based on preference and needs of the user of the present invention.

The spraying of the herbicides solution can be done on one side only - left side only, right side only or from side to side (i.e. left side first, then right side or vice versa) for each spraying cycle. This can be adjusted and modified based on the needs and preference of the user of the present invention.

It has been determined by numerous testing and trials by the inventors of the present invention that spray application rate per hectare (L/ha) of the herbicides sprayer to be in a range of 150 L/ha to 25oL/ha, preferably around 200 L/ha to achieve the required spraying efficiency which provides sufficient wetting of the weeds for efficient weeding management in the oil palm estates. However, the spray application rate per hectare (L/ha) may vaiy per estate basis depending on preference and requirements of the user of the apparatus if the present invention.

Any and all types of herbicides can be used for this present invention in the form of liquid or soluble powders.

The herbicides sprayer assembly of the present invention was tested in both coastal estates or estates with flat terrains and inland estates (where the terrains and field accessibility at the inland estates are more challenging than coastal estates). The sprayer assembly of the present invention is able to function effectively and smoothly at estates with difficult terrains, just as well at estates with flat terrains.

The present invention using a mechanical buffalo as the movable apparatus (with tank capacity between 300L to 400L) for inland estates (with difficult terrains) is able to achieve at least 15 ha/day per worker (minimum) as opposed to conventional method of herbicide weeding using knapsack sprayer with productivity per worker of about 3 ha/day to 4 ha/day and requires a gang of 6 to 8 workers to cover 25 ha to 28 ha per day (estates with flat terrains) and the present invention using a bigger movable apparatus with a bigger tank capacity is able to achieve more than 15 ha/day/ worker especially at estates with flat terrains.

The present invention provides further provides a method of assembling a sprayer assembly which is detachably coupled to a movable apparatus (1) for spraying herbicides, comprising assembling together at least one container (2) to hold herbicides solution, at least one pump

(3), at least one spray hose (4), a plurality of nozzles (5), at least one sprayer arm (6), a bumper frame (7), a rear frame (8), a top frame (9), a plurality of pulleys (10), at least one joint (11), at least one coupling (12), at least one spring (13) and at least one arm frame (14), wherein the at least one pump (3) is to produce pressurised herbicides solution, the at least one spray hose

(4) is to carry the pressurised herbicides solution from the at least one container (2) to the plurality of nozzles (5) and the pressurised herbicides solution is released or discharged out from plurality of nozzles (5) in the form of high pressurised droplets.

The at least one sprayer arm (6) is a horizontal arm on left side, right side or both sides of the movable apparatus (1). The at least sprayer arm (6) is at a 90° angle relative to a longitudinal central axis A. The at least sprayer arm (6) is at an angle of more than 90° but not more than 135⁰ relative to the longitudinal central axis A. The at least one joint (11) comprises a first joint (11’) and a second joint (11”) pivotally coupled to the plurality of nozzles (5). The plurality of nozzles (5) as pivotally coupled with the first joint (11’) are facing downwards for spraying or discharging the herbicides solution.

The at least one spray hose (4) is divided into at least two parts. The first part of the at least one spray hose (4) is pivotally coupled to the at least one container (2) on a first end and to the at least one spring (13) on a second end by means of at least one coupling (12). The at least one spring (13) is pivotally coupled to the first joint (11’) which is pivotally coupled to a first end of the second part of the at least one spray hose (4) by means of the at least one coupling (12). The second end of the second part of the at least one spray hose (4) is pivotably coupled to a second joint (11”) having the plurality of nozzles (5). The plurality of nozzles (5) are facing downwards and sideways for spraying or discharging the herbicides solution.

The second part of the at least one spray hose (4) is disposed within the at least one sprayer arm (6). The at least one sprayer arm (6) is bordered or encircled with a rod with a diameter in a range of between 6mm to 9mm. The at least one sprayer arm (6) is a closed frame. The at least one sprayer (6) is an open frame.

The bumper frame (7) is to protect the movable apparatus (1) from damage. The at least one rear frame (8) is pivotally coupled to the movable apparatus (1) on one end and to the first part of the at least one sprayer arm (6) on other end by means of at least one coupling (12).

The at least one arm frame (14) is pivotally coupled to the first part of the at least one sprayer arm (6) on one end and to the rear frame (8) on other end. The at least one arm frame (14) is foldable and/or retractable.

The top frame (9) is to hold the at least one container (2) in its position. The at least one container (2) comprises no compartments. The at least one container (2) comprises at least two compartments or more. The plurality of pulleys (10) transfers energy to the movable apparatus (1) and to other parts of the assembly. The assembly can be used for circle and/or strip spraying of the herbicides solution. The movable apparatus (1) is a three-wheeler or four- wheeler.

E. Summary

All prior arts as listed and referred to above do not specifically describe the herbicides sprayer assembly of the present invention. Apart from that, it is also not obvious by just reading the prior art documents or information as listed above for experts in the field of interest to derive the herbicides sprayer assembly of the present invention as the parameters for the herbicides sprayer assembly have been determined by the inventors based on numerous trials conducted, observations and discussions with combined expertise and experience in this field, which parameters and/ or combination could not be determined without much efforts, testing and/ or analysis or by just reviewing prior art documents in this field of interest. Hence, there remains a need in the art to provide an herbicides sprayer assembly per present invention with benefits and objectives as further described below which cannot be found from the prior art documents, hence, the inventors believe that this invention is novel and inventive.

To the best of the knowledge of the inventors of the present invention and based on prior arts available, there is no known apparatus per present invention in the market currently. The novel and unique aspects of the sprayer assembly of the present invention focuses on the flexible horizontal arms (the at least one sprayer arm (6)) which is foldable and retractable (for ease of parking at designated area when not in use), the arms are extendable and locked with pins when being used and the flexible horizontal arms is able to return back to its original position without any damage done on the at least one sprayer arm (6) when the at least one sprayer arm (6) hits any objects such as another vehicle or the oil palm trees in the estates. This allows for efficient and effective use of the sprayer assembly of the present invention for spraying herbicides solution specifically at estates with difficult / rough terrains to eliminate manual means of herbicides spraying for weed management purposes. Also, for operations at inland estates it is preferred for the tank or container (2) used comes with at least two compartments (or partitions) or more. The organised flow from one compartment to the other provides additional stability to the movable apparatus (1) as compared to having a tank without any compartment (or partitions) specifically at estates with difficult terrains to ensure good balance and stability when the movable apparatus (1) operates and manoeuvres at these estates.

The ATTILA by RB Spray Tech Sdn. Bhd. (Figure 2) is a spinning disc sprayer for the controlled droplet application of herbicides is the closest prior art to the herbicides sprayer assembly of the present invention [Source: https://www.rbspraytech.com/our- products/handheld-cda-sprayers/atila-cda]. The spinning disc sprayer here uses batteries and gravity flow mechanism with ultra-low volume (ULV) (25L/ha) calibration to reduce water usage which results in 1 worker having 10L per sprayer. 1 worker can cover about 6 ha/ day for an 8 hour working period. The ULV dispersions is very fine about 50 microns which is easily drifted by the wind. This prior art does not disclose the sprayer assembly of the present invention for spraying herbicides.

It can be appreciated that the parameters for the present invention are not obvious for a person skilled in the art and have been tested and determined by the inventors based on numerous trials conducted, observations, discussions and combined expertise, which would not be able to be determined without much efforts and analysis. All prior arts as listed and referred to above do not specifically describe the sprayer assembly of this present invention. Based on the knowledge of the inventors of the present invention, there is no known prior art or herbicides sprayer assembly per present invention, hence the inventors believe that this present invention is novel. Apart from that, it is also not obvious by just reading the prior art documents or information as listed above for experts in the field of interest to derive the sprayer assembly of the present invention without much efforts, testing and/or analysis. The parameters for the present invention have been determined by the inventors based on numerous trials conducted, observations, discussions with combined expertise and experience in this field which parameters and/or combination could not be determined without much efforts, testing and/or analysis or by just reviewing prior art documents in this field. Hence, to the best of knowledge of the inventors, the present invention is novel and inventive.

Various modifications to these embodiments as described herein are apparent to those skilled in the art from the description and the accompanying drawings. The description is not intended to be limited to these embodiments as shown with the accompanying drawings but is to provide the broadest scope possible as consistent with the novel and inventive features disclosed. Accordingly, the invention is anticipated to hold on to all other such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the present invention and appended claims.

Claims

1. A sprayer assembly detachably coupled to a movable apparatus (i) for spraying herbicides, comprising: at least one container (2) to hold herbicides solution, at least one pump (3), at least one spray hose (4), a plurality of nozzles (5), at least one sprayer arm (6), a bumper frame (7), a rear frame (8), a top frame (9), a plurality of pulleys (10), at least one joint (11), at least one coupling

(12), at least one spring (13) and at least one arm frame (14), wherein the at least one pump (3) is to produce pressurised herbicides solution, the at least one spray hose (4) is to carry the pressurised herbicides solution from the at least one container (2) to the plurality of nozzles (5) and the pressurised herbicides solution is released or discharged out from plurality of nozzles (5) in the form of high pressurised droplets.

2. The assembly of Claim 1, wherein the at least one sprayer arm (6) is a horizontal arm on left side, right side or both sides of the movable apparatus (1).

3. The assembly of Claim 2, wherein the at least sprayer arm (6) is at a 90° angle relative to a longitudinal central axis A.

4. The assembly of Claim 2, wherein the at least sprayer arm (6) is at an angle of more than 90° but not more than 135⁰ relative to the longitudinal central axis A.

5. The assembly of Claim 1, wherein the at least one joint (11) comprises a first joint (11’) and a second joint (11”) pivotally coupled to the plurality of nozzles (5).

6. The assembly of Claim 5, wherein the plurality of nozzles (5) as pivotally coupled with the first joint (if) are facing downwards for spraying or discharging the herbicides solution.

7. The assembly of Claim 1, wherein the at least one spray hose (4) is divided into at least two parts.

8. The assembly of Claim 7, wherein a first part of the at least one spray hose (4) is pivotally coupled to the at least one container (2) on a first end and to the at least one spring

(13) on a second end by means of at least one coupling (12).

9. The assembly of Claim 8, wherein the at least one spring (13) is pivotally coupled to the first joint (11’) which is pivotally coupled to a first end of the second part of the at least one spray hose (4) by means of the at least one coupling (12).

10. The assembly of Claim 7, wherein a second end of the second part of the at least one spray hose (4) is pivotably coupled to a second joint (11”) having the plurality of nozzles (5).

11. The assembly of Claim 10, wherein the plurality of nozzles (5) are facing downwards and sideways for spraying or discharging the herbicides solution.

12. The assembly of Claim 7, wherein the second part of the at least one spray hose (4) is disposed within the at least one sprayer arm (6).

13. The assembly of Claim 12, wherein the at least one sprayer arm (6) is bordered or encircled with a rod with a diameter in a range of between 6mm to 9mm.

14. The assembly of Claim 12, wherein the at least one sprayer arm (6) is a closed frame.

15. The assembly of Claim 12, wherein the at least one sprayer (6) is an open frame.

16. The assembly of Claim 1, wherein the bumper frame (7) is to protect the movable apparatus (1) from damage.

17. The assembly of Claim 1, wherein the at least one rear frame (8) is pivotally coupled to the movable apparatus (1) on one end and to the first part of the at least one sprayer arm (6) on other end by means of at least one coupling (12).

18. The assembly of Claim 1, wherein the at least one arm frame (14) is pivotally coupled to the first part of the at least one sprayer arm (6) on one end and to the rear frame (8) on other end.

19. The assembly of Claim 1, wherein the at least one arm frame (14) is foldable and/or retractable.

20. The assembly of Claim 1, wherein the top frame (9) is to hold the at least one container (2) in its position.

21. The assembly of Claim 1, wherein the at least one container (2) comprises no compartments.

22. The assembly of Claim 1, wherein the at least one container (2) comprises at least two compartments or more.

23. The assembly of Claim 1, wherein the plurality of pulleys (10) transfers energy to the movable apparatus (1) and to other parts of the assembly.

24. The assembly of Claim 1, wherein the assembly can be used for circle and/ or strip spraying of the herbicides solution.

25. The assembly of Claim 1, wherein the movable apparatus (1) is a three-wheeler or four- wheeler.

26. A method of assembling a sprayer assembly which is detachably coupled to a movable apparatus (1) for spraying herbicides, comprising: assembling together at least one container (2) to hold herbicides solution, at least one pump (3), at least one spray hose (4), a plurality of nozzles (5), at least one sprayer arm (6), a bumper frame (7), a rear frame (8), a top frame (9), a plurality of pulleys (10), at least one joint (11), at least one coupling (12), at least one spring (13) and at least one arm frame (14), wherein the at least one pump (3) is to produce pressurised herbicides solution, the at least one spray hose (4) is to carry the pressurised herbicides solution from the at least one container (2) to the plurality of nozzles (5) and the pressurised herbicides solution is released or discharged out from plurality of nozzles (5) in the form of high pressurised droplets.

27. The method of Claim 26, wherein the at least one sprayer arm (6) is a horizontal arm on left side, right side or both sides of the movable apparatus (1).

28. The method of Claim 27, wherein the at least sprayer arm (6) is at a 90° angle relative to a longitudinal central axis A.

29. The method of Claim 27, wherein the at least sprayer arm (6) is at an angle of more than 90° but not more than 135⁰ relative to the longitudinal central axis A.

30. The method of Claim 26, wherein the at least one joint (11) comprises a first joint (11’) and a second joint (11”) pivotally coupled to the plurality of nozzles (5).

31. The method of Claim 30, wherein the plurality of nozzles (5) as pivotally coupled with the first joint (if) are facing downwards for spraying or discharging the herbicides solution.

32. The method of Claim 26, wherein the at least one spray hose (4) is divided into at least two parts.

33. The method of Claim 32, wherein a first part of the at least one spray hose (4) is pivotally coupled to the at least one container (2) on a first end and to the at least one spring (13) on a second end by means of at least one coupling (12).

34. The method of Claim 33, wherein the at least one spring (13) is pivotally coupled to the first joint (11’) which is pivotally coupled to a first end of the second part of the at least one spray hose (4) by means of the at least one coupling (12).

35. The method of Claim 32, wherein a second end of the second part of the at least one spray hose (4) is pivotably coupled to a second joint (11”) having the plurality of nozzles (5).

36. The method of Claim 35, wherein the plurality of nozzles (5) are facing downwards and sideways for spraying or discharging the herbicides solution.

37. The method of Claim 32, wherein the second part of the at least one spray hose (4) is disposed within the at least one sprayer arm (6).

38. The method of Claim 37, wherein the at least one sprayer arm (6) is bordered or encircled with a rod with a diameter in a range of between 6mm to 9mm.

39. The method of Claim 37, wherein the at least one sprayer arm (6) is a closed frame.

40. The method of Claim 37, wherein the at least one sprayer (6) is an open frame.

41. The method of Claim 26, wherein the bumper frame (7) is to protect the movable apparatus (1) from damage.

42. The method of Claim 26, wherein the at least one rear frame (8) is pivotally coupled to the movable apparatus (1) on one end and to the first part of the at least one sprayer arm (6) on other end by means of at least one coupling (12).

43. The method of Claim 26, wherein the at least one arm frame (14) is pivotally coupled to the first part of the at least one sprayer arm (6) on one end and to the rear frame (8) on other end.

44. The method of Claim 26, wherein the at least one arm frame (14) is foldable and/or retractable.

45. The method of Claim 26, wherein the top frame (9) is to hold the at least one container (2) in its position.

46. The method of Claim 26, wherein the at least one container (2) comprises no compartments.

47. The method of Claim 26, wherein the at least one container (2) comprises at least two compartments or more.

48. The method of Claim 26, wherein the plurality of pulleys (10) transfers energy to the movable apparatus (1) and to other parts of the assembly.

49. The method of Claim 26, wherein the assembly can be used for circle and/or strip spraying of the herbicides solution.

50. The method of Claim 26, wherein the movable apparatus (1) is a three-wheeler or four- wheeler.