Liquid distribution apparatus employing a check valve for distributing liquid into a seed furrow

• US 8,291,844 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2011
• Issued: 10/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Paul E. Schaffert
• Original Assignee: Paul E. Schaffert
• Inventors: Schaffert, Paul E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Novosad, Christopher J.
• Application Number:
  US13/109,147
• Publication Number:
  US 20120012041A1
• Time in Patent Office: 525 Days
• Field of Search: 111118-129, 111/150, 111/189, 111/197, 111/149, 111/190, 111/200, 111/186, 111/188
• US Class Current: 111/150
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 23/025 Continuous injection tools
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/062 Devices for making drills or furrows
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/064 with rotating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/068 Furrow packing devices, e.g. press wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/06 Seeders combined with fertilising apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/201 Mounting of the seeding tools

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention involve an extension adapted to extend from a planter, such as the seed tube portion of the planter, into a seed furrow in order to engage seeds being deposited therein, where such engagement may involve deflecting the seeds toward the vertex region of the furrow and/or firming the seeds in the furrow. The extension includes or supports a fluid distribution arrangement such as a hose or the like, which may be separate or integral with the liquid supply hose of a planter. The fluid distribution arrangement is adapted to supply fluid, such as liquid fertilizer, insecticide, water, etc., to the furrow. A valve is provided in the fluid flow path in the region of the fluid distribution arrangement to control the distribution of fluid to the furrow. The valve may be a check valve that allows fluid flow therethrough when fluid pressure exceeds a value such that the valve opens, and prevents fluid flow when the pressure decreases below the valve activation pressure.

Claims

1. An extension for use with a planter to interact with seeds distributed from the planter into a seed furrow, the planter including a liquid distribution system fluidly coupled with a pump configured to deliver a liquid to the liquid distribution system under pressure to an outlet end of the liquid distribution system, the seed furrow having a centrally located bottom portion and a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the first sidewall and second sidewall extending upwardly and outwardly from the centrally located bottom portion of the seed furrow, said extension comprising:

an elongate flexible body member defining a generally downwardly and rearwardly sweeping orientation, and also defining an upper segment and a lower segment, wherein the lower segment is configured to extend into the seed furrow and the outlet end of the liquid distribution system is arranged on the lower segment; and

a check valve coupled with the liquid distribution system and positioned proximate the outlet end, the check valve configured to substantially stop the distribution of liquid through the outlet end of the liquid distribution system when the liquid is not under pressure by the pump.

2. The extension of claim 1 wherein the upper segment is attachable to the planter.

3. The extension of claim 1 wherein the upper segment is attachable to a drill.

4. The extension of claim 1 wherein the liquid distribution system includes a hose and the check valve is positioned in the hose.

5. The extension of claim 4 wherein the check valve is friction fit in the hose.

6. The extension of claim 4 wherein the check valve is adhered to the hose.

7. The extension of claim 1 wherein the liquid distribution system includes a liquid distribution apparatus and a hose fluidly coupled to the liquid distribution apparatus, the outlet end being provided on the liquid distribution apparatus.

8. The extension of claim 7 wherein the liquid distribution system further comprises a sleeve fluidly coupling the liquid distribution apparatus to the hose, the check valve being arranged in the sleeve.

9. An extension for use with a planter to interact with seeds distributed from the planter into a seed furrow, the planter including a liquid supply system coupled with a pump configured to deliver a liquid to the liquid supply system under pressure and to an outlet end of the liquid supply system, the seed furrow having a centrally located bottom portion and a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the first sidewall and the second sidewall extending upwardly and outwardly from the centrally located bottom portion of the furrow, said extension comprising:

means for engaging seeds distributed from the planter, the outlet end of the liquid supply system being arranged on the means for engaging seeds; and

a check valve coupled with the liquid supply system and positioned proximate the outlet end, the check valve configured to substantially stop the distribution of liquid through the outlet end of the liquid supply system when the liquid is not under pressure by the pump.

10. The extension of claim 9 wherein the means for engaging seeds comprises means for deflecting seeds generally toward a vertex of the seed furrow.

11. The extension of claim 9 wherein the means for engaging seeds comprises means for firming seeds in the furrow.

12. The extension of claim 9 wherein the liquid supply system includes a hose and the check valve is positioned in the hose.

13. The extension of claim 12 wherein the check valve is friction fit in the hose.

14. The extension of claim 12 wherein the check valve is adhered to the hose.

15. The extension of claim 9 wherein the liquid supply system includes a liquid distribution apparatus and a hose fluidly coupled to the liquid distribution apparatus, the outlet end being provided on the liquid distribution apparatus.

16. The extension of claim 15, wherein the liquid supply system further comprises a sleeve fluidly coupling the liquid distribution apparatus to the hose, the check valve being arranged in the sleeve.

17. An extension for use with a planter to interact with seeds distributed from the planter into a seed furrow, the planter including a liquid supply system coupled with a pump configured to deliver a liquid to the liquid supply system under pressure and to an outlet end of the liquid supply system, the seed furrow having a centrally located bottom portion and a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the first sidewall and second sidewall extending upwardly and outwardly from the centrally located bottom portion of the seed furrow, said extension comprising:

an elongate flexible body member configured to extend into the seed furrow, the outlet end of the liquid supply system being arranged thereon; and

a valve in fluid communication with the liquid supply system and arranged proximate the outlet end,

wherein, loss of liquid is controlled due to the location of the valve relative to the outlet end.

18. The extension of claim 17, wherein the valve is a check valve configured to substantially stop the distribution of liquid through the outlet end of the liquid supply system when the liquid is not under pressure by the pump.