Input dispenser and recorder

• US 8,744,633 B2
• Filed: 08/11/2010
• Issued: 06/03/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Agtelligent LLC
• Original Assignee: Agtelligent LLC
• Inventors: Applegate, Doug, Applegate, Luke, Applegate, Brent
• Primary Examiner(s): Ali, Mohammad
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rao, Sheela S
• Application Number:
  US12/806,370
• Publication Number:
  US 20110035055A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,392 Days
• Field of Search: 700/283, 700/285, 701/50, 180/14, 224/519, 296/168, 296/184, 366/141
• US Class Current: 700/282
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 79/005 Precision agriculture
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 21/00 Methods of fertilising , sowing or planting

Abstract

A liquid mixing station controlled by a computer to dispense predetermined amounts of liquid inputs based on parameters provided by an operator or program. Specifically, the invention is designed to accurately mix liquids and has an inner frame associated with a recipient tank, and an outer frame associated with the inner tank by load bars connected to the computer. The load bars signal the computer regarding weight change on the inner frame. Associated with the outer frame are minor input containers, each in fluid communication with a unique conduit and means to convey the fluid controlled by the computer. The parameters are used by a selected program and the CPU to provide appropriate ratio, sequence, and isolation of inputs. The station includes means for full removal and mix of all contents in a container, full removal of all contents from the recipient, and full clean-out of main conduit.

Claims

1. A computer-aided batch input dispenser and recorder for agricultural application comprising:

a) a plurality of inputs;

b) at least one input container each said container comprising an opening and associated with means to affect flow;

c) a recipient tank having an open top and a closeable lid for directly covering said open top;

d) a rinsing mechanism positioned in said recipient tank for rinsing said recipient tank;

e) a formula for determining relative amounts of each said plurality of inputs;

f) separate means for conveying each of said plurality of inputs to the recipient tank;

g) a computer associated with and in control of each said means to affect flow and means to convey each said input;

h) data;

i) said computer further associated with a program wherein said program applies said formula to the data and the computer directs each said means to effect flow and each said means to convey in compliance with the formula.

2. The dispenser claimed in claim 1, said recipient tank associated with an electronic scale and said electronic scale associated with said computer wherein said computer directs each said means to effect flow and each said means to convey to move an appropriate volume of each said input to said recipient tank as determined by the electronic scale.

3. The dispenser claimed in claim 2, said means to effect flow comprising a valve and means to convey comprising a pump and a conduit.

4. The dispenser claimed in claim 1, said recipient tank associated with an electronic scale, said electronic scale associated with said computer wherein said computer actuates said means to effect flow and said means to convey one of said plurality of inputs through said means to convey to said receiving tank until the electronic scale indicates an amount generally equal to the amount required by the application of said formula by said computer, and actuates means to generally empty said recipient tank into a holding tank.

5. The dispenser claimed in claim 2 wherein said dispenser further comprises an outer frame, said lid associated with the outer frame, an inner frame associated with the recipient tank and not associated with the lid, at least one load bar associated with said electronic scale and located between the inner frame and the outer frame for measuring weight change in the recipient tank.

6. The dispenser claimed in claim 5 wherein the dispenser further comprises a container and recipient tank rinsing mechanism substantially within the recipient tank.

7. The dispenser claimed in claim 5 wherein said rinsing mechanism comprises a nozzle, a conduit, and a pump for providing a rinse solution at pressure adequate to remove remaining input.

8. The dispenser claimed in claim 7 wherein the lid comprises an inner surface, said inner surface comprising a specifically positioned and shaped deflection shield for redirecting the rinse solution across the inner surface and down the sides of the tank.

9. The dispenser of claim 7 wherein said lid comprises a latching mechanism and said container and recipient tank rinsing mechanism operates only when the lid is latched.

10. The dispenser of claim 7 wherein the container and recipient tank rinsing mechanism includes a switch activated by the inversion of a container over the nozzle, said switch activating the rinsing mechanism for the container, and said lid comprises a latching mechanism wherein said container rinsing mechanism may be operated to rinse the recipient container only upon latching the lid.

11. The dispenser of claim 1 further comprising at least one tilt sensor and an automatic calculation adjustment to compensate for the tilt to provide accurate weight measurement.

12. The dispenser of claim 5 further comprising at least one tilt sensor and an automatic calculation adjustment to compensate for the tilt to provide accurate weight measurement.

13. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said computer comprises wifi capability for accepting information and commands conveyed to it by another computer, and for obtaining data from internet sources.

14. The dispenser of claim 1 further comprising means to identify contents in a container.

15. The dispenser of claim 14 wherein means to identify comprises a reader for information stored in RFID format and RFID readable data associated with a container is transmitted to the computer.

16. The dispenser of claim 14 wherein means to identify contents comprises a memory chip embedded in a hose connector attached to a bulk container, and a mating connector attached to the dispenser wherein upon coupling the hose connector and the mating connector the computer receives a set of data regarding the contents in the container.

17. The dispenser of claim 15 wherein the computer determines whether the transmitted data identifies an input appropriate for the formula, said computer activating means to affect flow and convey only if the formula comprises the input identified.

18. The dispenser of claim 14 wherein means to identify contents comprises a wire tag associated with a hose connector attached to a bulk container, and a mating connector attached to the dispenser and proximal a socket wherein upon coupling the hose connector and the mating connector, the tag is inserted into the socket and the computer recognizes the container.

19. A computer-aided batch input dispenser and recorder for agricultural application comprising:

a) a plurality of inputs each housed in one of a plurality of containers;

b) at least one means to affect flow, each said at least one means to affect flow associated with said at least one container;

c) separate means for conveying at least two of said plurality of inputs to a recipient tank;

d) said recipient tank having an open top and a closeable lid for covering said open top;

e) a rinsing mechanism positioned in said recipient tank for rinsing said recipient tank when the lid is closed;

f) a holding tank for receiving each said input from said recipient tank;

g) a formula for determining relative amounts of each of said plurality of inputs; and

h) a computer associated with and in control of at least one of said means to affect flow, and a program.

20. A method of using the dispenser of claim 19 comprising weighing in an amount of diluent according to the formula.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein said rinsing mechanism employs at least a portion of said diluent to rinse the recipient tank after the addition of at least one said input.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein said rinsing mechanism employs at least a portion of said diluent to rinse the recipient tank after the addition of each said at least one input.

23. A method of using the dispenser of claim 19 wherein said computer runs the program which applies said formula and directs each said means to effect flow in compliance with the formula.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein said computer activates said rinsing mechanism after said holding tank has received said at least one input.