ZA200408349B

ZA200408349B - Spray applicator for agricultural compositions

Info

Publication number: ZA200408349B
Application number: ZA200408349A
Authority: ZA
Inventors: Craig Bromfield
Original assignee: Illovo Sugar Ltd
Priority date: 2003-09-18
Filing date: 2004-10-15
Publication date: 2006-04-26

Description

sc 2002 8 48 , : FIELD OF INVENTION . This invention relates to a spray applicator for agricultural and other compositions to be broadcast by means of a spray applicator, for example by means of a tractor mounted spray applicator, but may also pertain to other forms of apparatus for spraying, such as back pack sprayers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Certain chemical substances and compositions are not compatible with materials conventionally used in spraying apparatuses. For example, certain substances cause rubber or other polymeric materials to swell and soften thus causing failure of seals, diaphragms and other components in pumps; or to attack the resin in a fibreglass tank, leading to failure of the tank walls.

While it is possible, in most instances to replace these materials with other more resistant types, this is costly and often impractical.

One of the active ingredients or substances which causes such probiems is furfural, which is used extensively for the control of nematodes in sail. it is an object of the present invention to provide an arrangement in which an incompatible substance is introduced in such a manner that the risk of damaging materials of construction is eliminated.

THE INVENTION

According to the invention, a tractor mounted apparatus for spraying agricultural and other compositions includes a main tank for compatible components of the composition and one or more separate tanks made of resistant materials for the non-compatible components, and a liquid eductor unit; the main tank being connected to the main inlet of the eductor on the discharge side of a pump ,and the other tank/s being connected fo the suction side of the eductor, with flow-controlling or other means to ensure delivery of a predetermined concentration at the outlet of the eductor, the outlet being connected to a spray boom or the like distributor.

The main tank will generally contain water as the solvent for the composition with the flow of water through the eductor drawing a predetermined quantity of the active solution frrm the other tank/s. This means that the active substance will not come into contact with non-compatible materials of construction of the main tank or pump.

The eductor unit of the invention may comprise a body with opposing nozzles forming a constriction in the body. The upstream flow of water or other liquid enters the body at a pressure determined by a pressure regulator. The downstream pressure is determined by the pressure required to give the best spray pattern for the boom. The nozzles are sized to provide the predetermined concentration of the mixture. Suitable one-way valves are provided to prevent back flow of water into the

ERE NRA v : 20 0 : other tank/s. t . EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of an arrangement of the invention;

Figure 2 is a detailed side view of the eductor unit;

Figure 3 is an exploded isometric view of the eductor of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a general view of apparatus according to the invention.

In Figure 1 a main tank 10 has an outlet leading through a pressure regulating valve 12 and a pressure indicator 14 before it enters an eductor unit 16 which will be described below.

A second tank 20 containing the incompatible substance leads through an isolation valve 22, a tlow restriction orifice 24, one-way vaive 26, into ihe suction iniet 30 of the eductor unit. A pressure indicator 32 is located between the outlet of the eductor unit and a spray boom 40.

Referring now to Figure 2, the eductor unit has an inlet 50 for the water or other solvent from the main tank 10. The body of the eductor 52 has opposed nozzles 54, 56 creating a vacuum therebetween. in Figure 3, the additional items shown are a non-return ball 60, a gasket 62 and a pressure gauge 64.

The tanks are mounted on a tractor and arranged for balance.

In Figure 4 the various items are labelled accordingly.

Claims

Scr nu 8349 Pp : CLAIMS

I. A tractor mounted apparatus for spraying agricultural and other compositions including a main tank for compatible components of the composition and one or more separate tanks made of resistant materials for the non-compatible components, and a liquid eductor unit; the main tank being connected to the main inlet of the eductor on the discharge side of a pump, and the other tank/s being connected ‘o the suction side of the eductor. with flow-controiling or other means to ensure delivery of a predetermined concentration at the outlet of the eductor, the outlet being connected to a spray boom or the like distributor.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 in which the main tank contains water as the solvent for the composition with the {low of water through the eductor drawing a predetermined quantity of the active solution from the other tank/s.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 in which the eductor unit comprises a body with opposing nozzles forming a construction in the body.
4. The apparatus according to any of the above claims in which the upstream flow of water or other liquid enters the body at a pressure determined by a pressure regulator and the downstream pressure is determined by the pressure required to give the best spray pattern for the boom.
oo NEI STRELA: v - The apparatus according to claim 4 in which the nozzles are sized to provide the predetermined concentration of the mixture.
6. The apparatus according to claim 5 in which one-way valves are provided to prevent back flow cf water inte ‘he other tank/s.
7. The apparatus substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 15 day of —e i 2004 / / j Fa { rg Cd / M N FORSTER INC. APPLICANTS’ PATENT ATTORNEYS