Combination foliage compaction and treatment method and apparatus

• US 20040003535A1
• Filed: 01/06/2003
• Published: 01/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The United States of America As Representated by the Secretary of Agriculture
• Original Assignee: The United States of America As Representated by the Secretary of Agriculture
• Inventors: Netzer, Daniel A., Wiese, Adam H., Riemenschneider, Don
• Granted Patent: US 7,121,040 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 47/1.7
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 23/047 Spraying of liquid fertilisers
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 21/043 by chemicals

Abstract

The present invention is an improved method and apparatus for applying liquids to foliage with a roller and height adjustable spray nozzle apparatus. A large heavy roller is pulled or pushed across a field of plants, thereby forcing the plants very close to the ground. A height adjustable applicator nozzle directly following the roller can be adjusted very close to the compacted plants. The combination of an adjustable roller and height adjustable applicator nozzles allows the fluid to be released very near the plants, thereby increasing the amount of fluid transferred to the plants'"'"' surface at a reduced rate and increasing the effectiveness of the treatments while lowering the amount of fluid sprayed into the atmosphere. The result of the invention is a savings in the cost of fluids, improved effectiveness of the treatment and an improved environmental impact where the selected fluid has a negative environmental impact.

Claims

1. An apparatus for compacting foliage and applying a fluid thereto comprising:

a frame;

a roller system comprising at least one roller connected to said frame, wherein said roller compacts and/or crimps said foliage when pushed or pulled across said foliage;

at least one tank carried by said frame, each tank having an interior space that can contain a fluid;

a spray boom connected to said frame, wherein the distance from said spray boom to the foliage may be adjusted;

at least one spray nozzle carried by said spray boom; and

a hose system connected to said at least one tank and said at least one spray nozzle whereby said at least one spray nozzle is in fluid communication with said interior space of said at least one tank.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of protrusions extended radially from said roller along a length thereof, whereby said plurality of protrusions crimp the foliage.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of spikes extending radially from said roller, whereby said plurality of spikes aerate soil.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fluid comprises a gas.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fluid comprises a liquid.

6. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said liquid comprises a solution.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fluid is selected from a group consisting of:

pesticide, herbicide, fungicide, molluscide, nematicide, rodenticide, acaricide, miticide, fertilizer, growth hormone, nutrients, pheromone, microorganism or biological preparation or combination thereof.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said fluid is a pesticide.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said roller system is height adjustable.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spray boom is disposed rearward of said roller system in a direction of travel of said apparatus.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a pump connected to said hose system that can pump the fluid to said at least one spray nozzle.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said pump comprises an electric pump.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of tanks.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a pressure tank and a fluid tank, an interior of said pressure tank being in fluid communication with an interior of said fluid tank, and whereby said pressure tank provides a pressure to said fluid tank.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a pump connected to said hose system that can pump the fluid from said fluid tank to said spray nozzle.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a control that can control flow of the fluid from said at least one tank to said at least one spray nozzle.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said control can control a supply of power to said pump.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said control can control a flow of fluid from said at least one tank.

19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said control can control a supply of pressure to said interior space of said at least one tank.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one shock absorber connected to said roller system that can regulate a pressure between said roller system and the foliage.

22. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a lifting device connected between said frame and said roller system, whereby said lifting device can raise and lower said roller system.

23. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one spray nozzle is a flat fan nozzle.

29. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

providing a control to said spray apparatus wherein said control controls flow of fluid from said at least one tank to said at least one spray nozzle.

21. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said at least one shock absorber is a high travel shock absorber.

24. A method for compacting foliage and applying a fluid thereto, comprising the steps of:

providing a spray apparatus comprising a frame with a height adjustable spray boom connected thereto having at least one spray nozzle, at least one tank having an interior space in fluid communication with said at least one spray nozzle mounted in said frame, and a roller system connected to said frame;

providing a fluid in the interior space of said at least one tank;

adjusting a height of the spray boom;

compacting the foliage with said roller system;

spraying said fluid on the foliage through said at least one spray nozzle.

25. The method as claimed in claim 24 further comprising pumping said fluid from said interior space of said at least one tank to said at least one spray nozzle with a pump.

26. The method as claimed in claim 24 wherein said at least one tank comprises a plurality of tanks, said method further comprising:

pressurizing a first one of said plurality of tanks; and

providing said pressure from said first one of said plurality of tanks to a second tank to drive the fluid therefrom.

27. The method of claim 24 wherein said fluid is selected from a group consisting of:

pesticide, herbicide, fungicide, molluscide, nematicide, rodenticide, acaricide, miticide, fertilizer, growth hormone, nutrients, pheromone, microorganism or biological preparation or combination thereof.

28. The method of claim 24 further comprising the step of:

providing at least one shock absorber to said spray apparatus wherein said at least one shock absorber applies downward pressure on said roller system.