Comprehensive product delivery system

• US 6,079,632 A
• Filed: 11/26/1996
• Issued: 06/27/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ag-Chem Sales Company Incorporated (AGCO Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Ag-Chem Sales Company Incorporated (AGCO Corporation)
• Inventors: Yan, Jianhua
• Primary Examiner(s): WELDON, KEVIN P
• Application Number:
  US08/756,406
• Time in Patent Office: 1,309 Days
• Field of Search: 141/382, 141/383, 239/148, 239/155, 239/156, 239/161, 239/172, 239/318, 239/310, 239/302
• US Class Current: 239/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 7/0092 Adding active material used as well for the introduction of fertilisers in water A01C23/042
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/1418 for supplying several liquids or other fluent materials in selected proportions to a single spray outlet controlling ratio of two or more flows of fluid G05D11/02
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/2486 with means for supplying liquid or other fluent material to several discharge devices
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/32 the fed liquid or other fluent material being under pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/24 in which the connection is made by inserting one member axially into the other and rotating it to a limited extent, e.g. with bayonet action

Abstract

A comprehesive product dispensing system including a product/carrier dispensing system. The product carrier dispensing system comprising a carrier dispensing system and a product dispensing system. The product dispensing system including a product dispensing device and a product dispensing control system. The product dispensing control system includes a flowmeter and a controller. The controller regulates the injection rate of product injected into the carrier and the flowmeter provides feedback to the controller for regulating the injection rate of product. Product is dispensed from product containers which may be filled via a closed transfer delivery system for safe product handling and transfer.

Claims

1. A closed-transfer delivery system for transferring a product to a dispensing system carried on a mobile dispensing device, the dispensing system including a dispensing mechanism for spreading the product over a desired spread area, the closed-transfer delivery system comprising:

a product source having an opening and adapted to provide a product, the product source remaining generally stationary relative to the mobile dispensing device;

a product container having an opening for introducing the product into the product container, the product container being removably mounted on the mobile dispensing device;

a product delivery line operatively connected to the dispensing mechanism and removably connectable to the product container so as to fluidly communicate between the product container and the dispensing mechanism;

a transfer line for fluid communication of the product;

a first closure member operatively connected to the transfer line and moveable between an open position and a closed position restricting passage of the product;

a second closure member operatively connected to either the product container or the product supply and moveable between an open position and a closed position restricting passage of the product therethrough; and

a control associated with the first closure member and the second closure member, the control adapted to control operation of the first closure member and the second closure member between the open position and the closed position wherein the first closure member and the second closure member are adapted to be moved to the closed position and the transfer line disconnected from the opening of at least one of the product source or the product container and wherein the product within the transfer line or at least one of the product source or the product container is not exposed when the transfer line is disconnected.

2. The closed-transfer delivery system of claim 1 wherein the first closure member and second closure member each comprise:

a rotatable valve member having a throughbore, the rotatable valve member being rotatable such that in the open position the throughbore of the rotatable valve member is aligned with the respective opening, and in the closed position the throughbore of the rotatable valve member is generally not aligned with the respective opening.

3. The closed transfer delivery system of claim 2 wherein the rotatable valve member is generally spherical, and the rotatable valve member includes a recessed sealing surface such that the recessed sealing surface mates with a like sealing surface of the other like rotatable valve members.

4. A method for supplying a fluid from a product source to a dispensing system, the dispensing system being carried on a mobile dispensing device including a spray boom for spreading the product over a spread area, the product source being generally stationary relative to the mobile dispensing device and defining an opening therein, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a product container removably mountable on the mobile dispensing device and operatively connectable to the dispensing system, the product container defining an opening therein and having a first closure member disposed proximate to the opening and being operable between an open position and a closed position to restrict the flow of fluid therethrough, the first closure member initially being in the closed position;

providing a delivery line having a first end and a second end, the first end of the delivery line being operatively connected to the product source in fluid communication with the opening thereof, the delivery line including a second closure member disposed proximate to the second end and being operable between an open position and a closed position to restrict the flow of the fluid therethrough, the second closure member initially being in the closed position;

coupling the delivery line to the product container in fluid communication with the opening thereof; and

opening the first closure member of the product container and opening the second closure member of the delivery line to permit the fluid to flow from the product source through the delivery line and into the product container.