System for applying a chemical vegetation

• US 6,802,153 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2002
• Issued: 10/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dubois Growers, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dubois Growers, Inc.
• Inventors: DuBois, Mark, DuBois, Brett, DuBois, Wayne, DuBois, Monte
• Primary Examiner(s): Poon, Peter M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Son T.
• Application Number:
  US10/174,012
• Publication Number:
  US 20020152675A1
• Time in Patent Office: 847 Days
• Field of Search: 47/15, 47/10.1 R, 15/98, 427/4, 118/264, 118/266, 118/268, 401/268, 401/261, 401/266, 401/265, 401/139, 401/138, 401/137, 401/140
• US Class Current: 47/1.5
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 21/043 by chemicals

Abstract

The present invention provides a system for applying a chemical, such as an herbicide, to a surface. A chemical reservoir stores a quantity of the chemical for dispensation to the surface. A flow control unit in fluid communication with the chemical reservoir has a conduit in which the chemical flows. The flow control unit is adjustable to control the rate of chemical flow in the conduit. At least one wiper assembly is in fluid communication with the flow control unit. The wiper assembly includes at least one wick sheet which receives and absorbs the chemical received from the flow control unit and applies the chemical to the surface via a wiping action.

Claims

1. A chemical applicator apparatus for applying a chemical from a chemical supply source to a surface, comprising:

an interface element in fluid communication with a respective fluid distribution opening, the interface element receiving the chemical flow from the fluid distribution opening; and

a substantially planar, freely hanging, flexible wick sheet in fluid communication with the interface element, the wick sheet absorbing the chemical flow from the interface element;

an intake manifold having;

a fluid receiving opening, the fluid receiving opening receiving a chemical flow from the chemical supply source; and

a fluid distribution opening, the fluid distribution opening distributing the received chemical flow;

a frame, the intake manifold being coupled to the frame; and

a substantially planar wick coupler having a first end coupled to the frame, and a second end opposite the first end, the second end being coupled to the wick sheet;

wherein the interface element is comprised of;

a substantially planar chemical dispersal member having;

a first planar surface;

a second planar surface opposite the first planar surface; and

an opening having a central axis, the opening forming a passage connecting the first planar surface and second planar surface; and

a conduit member, the conduit member being centered about the central axis of the corresponding opening, the conduit member having;

a receiving opening, the receiving opening being in fluid communication with the intake manifold;

a distribution opening opposite the receiving opening, the distribution opening coupled to the first surface of the chemical dispersal member.

2. A system for applying a fluid to a surface, the system comprising:

a reservoir storing a quantity of fluid for dispensation to the surface;

a flow control unit in fluid communication with the reservoir, the flow control unit having a conduit in which the fluid flows, the flow control unit being adjustable to control the rate of fluid flow in the conduit; and

a wiper assembly, the wiper assembly being in fluid communication with the flow control unit, the one wiper assembly including at least one substantially planar, freely hanging, flexible wick sheet absorbingly receiving the fluid from the flow control unit and wipingly applying the fluid to the surface,

wherein the wiper assembly is further comprised of;

an intake manifold in fluid communication with the flow control unit, the intake manifold having;

a fluid receiving opening, the fluid receiving opening receiving the fluid flow from the flow control unit; and

a fluid distribution opening, the fluid distribution opening distributing the received fluid flow; and

an interface element coupled to the wick sheet, the interface element being in fluid with a respective fluid distribution opening to apply the fluid flow to the wick sheet, the interface element having

a substantially planar chemical dispersal member having first and second planar surfaces, and a channel, the channel linking the first and second planar surfaces; and

a conduit member disposed through the channel and arranged generally adjacent to the first planar surface.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein each of the wiper assemblies further includes:

a frame, the intake manifold being coupled to the frame; and

a flexible wick coupling member having;

a first end coupled to the frame; and

a second end opposite the first end, the second end being coupled to the wick sheet.

4. The system according to claim 3, further comprising:

a vehicle; and

a tool bar mounted to the vehicle, the frame tool bar being retractably coupled to the tool bar and arranged to contact a respective furrow in the surface.

5. The system according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of wick sheets are arranged in a plurality of overlapping parallel planar arrays, and further including a plurality of interface elements disposed substantially between the overlapping parallel planar arrays, each of the plurality of interface elements being arranged substantially spacedly apart from another interface element.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein each wick sheet includes an upper portion and a lower portion, and at least one prismatic stabilizing block member is coupled to the lower portion of a first wick sheet.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein at least two prismatic stabilizing block members are coupled to one wick sheet each, and further including a stabilizing rod coupled to the at least two prismatic stabilizing block members, the stabilizing rod being oriented to retard the overlapping parallel planar arrays of wick sheets'"'"' motion in a first direction.