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&#39; 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.

Description:
STATEMENT OF FEDERAL SPONSORSHIP AND CLAIM TO PRIORITY  
       [0001] The Government of the United States of America has rights in this invention. This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/394,555 which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the application of one or more fluids to foliage. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for foliage compaction and treatment which minimizes spray drift and provides increased control over the application of fluids to the foliage, and provides increased effectiveness of said fluid for the intended purposes.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The maintenance of vegetation often includes spraying the foliage with fluids including nutrients, fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides, pesticides and the like. Spraying foliage with chemical herbicides is often used as a means for controlling unwanted vegetation growth. Spray applications are extensively used in various areas with a consequent loss of effectiveness. The disadvantage with such an operation is that a considerable amount of the fluid can be lost through spray drift and over spray. A spray is generally somewhat non-selective and a proportion of the spray will not be applied to the foliage and may instead affect unintended areas and/or plant species. Consequently, there is a significant wastage with such type of application, and a concomitant loss in effectiveness for purposes intended. Additionally, there is an increasing concern with the practice of using sprays containing herbicides and other noxious fluids because of the potential environmental impacts from over spray and spray drift. It is apparent that other means of applying the fluids which will minimize such impacts and increase effectiveness would have a general acceptance.  
         DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART  
         [0004]    Many types of devices and methods are used for the application of fluids to foliage. Considerable effort has been put forth to create devices and methods for efficiently and effectively applying fluids to plants. Such devices are used to apply fluids such as herbicides, fungicides, fertilizer, pesticides and the like.  
           [0005]    Many prior art devices developed to minimize spray drift use a contact roller apparatus to apply fluids to foliage. Other prior art devices use a chemical spray system for use during planting.  
           [0006]    In general, a disadvantage of prior art devices which use rollers in a wick system is that the rollers apply chemicals unevenly and can easily become dirty and clogged, thus substantially reducing the effectiveness of the device. A hindrance of devices applying fluids during planting is that they cannot be effectively used to apply fluids subsequent to planting.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,190,077 discloses an applicator for applying liquid media comprising an applicator head attached to a stem. The applicator head includes a spherical applicator freely rotatable on an axle which extends at right angles to the stem that is of a length that an operator can hold the stem, and rest the surface of the applicator on the ground. The applicator has a porous resilient envelope which surrounds a sleeve located on the axle, a reservoir in the stem charges the porous envelope with liquid media.  
           [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,208,835 discloses an apparatus for applying herbicide to tall weeds which extend above a line formed by the upper reaches of desirable crops is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pair of hydraulic rams for elevating and lowering a rotatably mounted roller which has a covering of nap material such as nylon-dacron carpeting for facilitating the adherence of the herbicide thereto. A fluid pressure system or systems for controlling the flow rate of herbicide to the roller and for controlling the rotational speed of the roller is provided so that the herbicide application characteristics of the apparatus can be varied in accordance with the weed density and height conditions encountered. A wiper for spreading the herbicide and for foaming the herbicide prior to application to the weeds can also be included.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,443,970 discloses an apparatus with a contact bar of permeable, absorbent, exudative material such as a paint roller is attached by a spring bar to a mounting bracket. The contact bar is moistened with a treatment liquid such as a herbicide. Each time the contact bar rubs against a plant, additional herbicide is applied to the contact bar, e.g., a spring arm, carrying the contact bar, can be pushed back by the plant against a microswitch, which will open a solenoid valve. The opening of the solenoid valve may apply liquid to the contact bar by spraying the liquid from a nozzle onto the bar or by feeding liquid through a perforated tube under the surface of the material on the contact bar.  
           [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,443,970 discloses a method and apparatus for the application of liquid contact herbicides to plants. A liquid applicator roller is mounted for rotation about a generally horizontal axis and in operative communication with a reservoir of liquid herbicide. The applicator roller is mounted above ground and in position for the peripheral surface thereof to be brought into contact with plants. The applicator roller is moved in the direction generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the roller, and powered rotation thereof is effected so that it rotates into contact with plants and continuously transfers liquid from the surface thereof onto the plants, the surface being continuously replenished with liquid from the reservoir. The housing mounting the roller is readily adaptable to mount a hand pushed or pulled unit, or to be mounted on a tractor tool bar. A drive wheel can communicate with a raised surface portion of the liquid applicator roller for effecting rotation thereof. Transfer of herbicide from a liquid pool to the applicator roller can be effected utilizing a sponge or a pair of transfer rollers. The liquid pool is mounted adjacent the axis of rotation of the roller, on one side of the housing.  
           [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,488,376 discloses a contact roller herbicide applicator apparatus comprising a substantially cylindrical roller applicator including an internally gravity fed hollow cylindrical roller reservoir having a plurality of feed apertures formed therein in combination with a multiple-ply herbicide applicator member including intermediate porous pad and an outer applicator member in surrounding relationship relative to the hollow cylindrical roller reservoir to apply herbicide in direct contact with weeds or other undesired foliage.  
           [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,125,621 discloses apparatus and method for cutting vegetation and simultaneously treating the remaining stems of the cut vegetation with a treatment fluid. The apparatus includes a mower, a cutting blade drive rotatably mounted on the mower, a blade carrier secured to the rotatable drive, and at least one cutting blade assembly rotatably mounted on the blade carrier. The apparatus further includes a fluid container for containing the treatment fluid in a plurality of interconnected, stackable and removable fluid container cells, a pumping device for pumping the treatment fluid to the at least one cutting blade assembly, a flow control device for metering the amount of treatment fluid that is pumped to the at least one cutting blade assembly, and a fluid conduit device for delivering the treatment fluid from the fluid container to the cutting and treating device. The method includes the steps of cutting vegetation with at least one cutting blade, and delivering a treatment fluid to the underside of the at least one cutting blade in a continuous stream so that the treatment fluid is continuously available to the remaining stems of the cut vegetation.  
           [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,829 B1 discloses a planting machine for delivering liquid pesticides to the soil mixing zone preceding the furrow closing mechanism to effectively distribute liquid pesticide throughout soil covering seed in a furrow. The planting machine has a furrow opening mechanism, seed dispensing means, and furrow closing mechanism and includes a seed positioning means mounted on the seed dispensing means for effectively locating seeds in the furrow. Also, the planting machine includes means for liquid pesticide spray delivery mounted thereon so as to direct a spray towards the furrow closing mechanism and into the soil mixing zone being created by the furrow closing mechanism. The means for spray delivery can be mounted on the conventional seed positioning means as well as independently mounted on the planting machine.  
           [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,167,821 B1 discloses a method and apparatus for fumigating soil in a manner to prevent or minimize escape of fumigating gases and in a manner to facilitate the planting of a cover crop at the time of fumigation. An apparatus for simultaneously treating soil with soil fumigant material applied at a full application rate includes a fumigant material applicator applying fumigant below the surface of the soil at a rate of at least 10 gallons per acre. The apparatus further includes a soil leveling apparatus, and a soil packer positioned between the applicator and packer. The apparatus further includes with a cover crop seed planter, with the soil leveling apparatus and packer being positioned between the applicator and planter.  
           [0015]    However, there remains a need for an apparatus and method for applying fluids to foliage that reduces over spray and spray drift while applying the fluids evenly to the foliage, thus maintaining effectiveness for the purposes intended.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0016]    A first preferred embodiment of the instant invention comprises: 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 a 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.  
           [0017]    A preferred embodiment of the method of the instant invention comprises the steps of: providing a spray apparatus comprising a frame, 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; and spraying said fluid on the foliage through said at least one spray nozzle. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is a side view of a second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0021]    The preferred embodiment of the subject invention will now be disclosed in detail in conjunction with the figures, wherein like parts are designated by like reference numerals, throughout the several views. While the present inventive subject matter is applicable for use with a variety of fluids including fungicides, fertilizers, water and pesticides, the preferred embodiment, discussed below, is a combination weed compaction and herbicide treatment apparatus and method.  
         [0022]    In the present invention a roller can be pushed or pulled across a field of plants, thereby forcing the plants very close to the ground. The height of at least one spray nozzle directly following the roller can be adjusted such that the nozzle is very close to the foliage. The combination of the roller to compact the foliage and the height adjustability of the spray nozzle allows fluid to be released very near the plants, thereby increasing the amount of fluid transferred to the plants&#39; surface, lowering the amount of herbicide lost due to spray drift and over spray, and increasing effectiveness of intended fluid(s).  
         [0023]    Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a side view of the foliage compaction and treatment apparatus  1  which may be mounted to the back of a self propelled vehicle (not shown). Apparatus  1  has a frame  2  with a top side  4  and a bottom side  5 . Frame  2  may be constructed of pipe, hollow tubing or other materials known to those skilled in that art. Vertical roller frame mounting brackets  6  extend downward from frame  2  and can be structurally integrated into frame  2 , as in FIG. 1, or can be attached to frame  2  by other means known in the art such as by weld, bolts or screws. A roller frame  12  is rotationally attached to vertical roller frame mounting brackets  6  by a pin  14 . Shock mounting brackets  10  are attached to mounting brackets  6  above pin  14  and to roller frame  12 . At least one shock absorber(s)  16  is connected between respective shock mounting brackets  10  on vertical roller frame mounting brackets  6  and roller frame  12 . Shock absorber(s)  16  is preferably high travel shock absorber(s) and is biased to place a constant downward pressure on roller frame  12  and thereby roller  24 . The constant downward pressure applied to roller frame  12  and roller  24  ensures proper compaction and/or crimping of the foliage by roller  24  during use of apparatus  1 .  
         [0024]    A cable mounting hook  18  is affixed to roller frame  12 . A lifting device  20  is attached to the bottom side  5  of frame  2 . Lifting device  20  can be operated manually, operated using a power source or operated with a hydraulic ram. A cable  22  extends from lifting device  20  to cable mounting hook  18 . Lifting device  20  is used to raise and lower roller frame  12 . Roller frame  12  may be raised by lifting device  20  when apparatus  1  is not in use, facilitating ease of transport. A roller  24  is rotationally attached to roller frame  12 . A plurality of crimping members  26  extend radially from roller  24 . When roller  24  is in use, crimping members  26  crimp the foliage that is contacted by roller  24 . Crimping of the foliage by crimping members  26  provides for more effective and efficient compaction of the foliage. In the embodiment represented by FIG. 1, frame  2  is mounted to a self-propelled vehicle such as an ATV or tractor(not shown). When in use, roller  24  is lowered to a position where roller  24  comes into contact with the foliage to be compacted and treated. As the self-propelled vehicle moves apparatus  1 , roller  24  rotates and crimping members  26  score the foliage while roller  24  compacts the foliage in preparation for treatment with a fluid  31 . At least one shock absorber(s)  16  provide a constant downward force on roller  24 , allowing roller  24  to compact foliage over uneven ground.  
         [0025]    At least one pressure tank  28 , and at least one fluid tank  30  are mounted in frame  2 . A pressure supply hose  32  is attached at one end to pressure tank outlet  34  of pressure tank  28 . An opposite end of pressure supply hose  32  is attached to fluid tank inlet  36  of fluid tank  30 . Pressure supply hose  32  supplies pressure from pressure tank  28  to fluid tank  30 . A fluid supply hose  37  having an inlet opening on an interior of fluid tank  30  extends from fluid tank outlet  40  to a bottom of fluid tank  30 . A manifold supply hose  38  is attached at one end to fluid tank outlet  40  on an exterior of fluid tank  30 . Fluid tank  30  contains fluid  31  to be applied to the compacted foliage. An opposite end of manifold supply hose  38  is attached to manifold inlet  42  of manifold  44 . A spray nozzle supply hose  46  is attached at one end to manifold outlet  48  of manifold  44 . An opposite end of spray nozzle supply hose  46  is attached to spray nozzle  50 . Spray nozzle  50  is preferably a flat fan spray nozzle.  
         [0026]    Spray nozzle  50  is attached to spray nozzle mounting bracket  51  located on horizontal spray boom frame  54 . Horizontal spray boom frame  54  is attached to lower vertical spray boom mounting frame  56 . Lower mounting frame  56  is attached telescopically to upper vertical spray boom mounting frame  58 . A plurality of holes  60  in lower mounting frame  56  and hole  62  in upper mounting frame  58  are disposed such that a selected one of the plurality of holes  60  in lower mounting frame  56  can be aligned with hole  62  of upper mounting frame  58 . A spray boom pin  64  can be placed through hole  62  and the selected one of holes  60  to secure lower mounting frame  56  to upper mounting frame  58 . A distance between spray nozzle  50  and compacted foliage can be adjusted by disposing pin  64  in the selected hole  60  corresponding to the desired distance. Other methods of adjusting the height of lower mounting frame  56 , such as by a lifting device system, are well known in the art.  
         [0027]    Multiple pressure tanks  28  and/or fluid tanks  30  can be used in apparatus  1 . In the event that multiple fluid tanks  30  and pressure  28  tanks are used, multiple hoses  32  and  38  can also be used. Further, in the event that multiple spray nozzles  50  are used, multiple hoses  46  can also be used.  
         [0028]    Apparatus  1  can operate in front of or behind a self-propelled vehicle provided roller  24  is in front of spray nozzle  50  based on the direction of travel of said apparatus.  
         [0029]    Functionally, pressure supplied from pressure tank  28  passes through hose  32  to fluid tank  30 , forcing fluid  31  contained therein into an inlet opening of fluid supply hose  37  at a bottom of fluid tank  30 . Fluid supply hose  37  supplies fluid  31  to fluid tank outlet  40  where fluid  31  exits fluid tank  30  and enters manifold supply hose  38  and is delivered to manifold  44 . Fluid  31  exits manifold  44  through hose  46  which delivers fluid  31  to spray nozzle  50  where it is applied to compacted foliage. Control  53  controls the flow of fluid  31  from manifold  44  to spray nozzle  50 . Control  53  allows the operator of apparatus  1  to select the area of application and the amount of fluid  31  to be applied to the compacted foliage (not shown). As illustrated in FIG. 1, control  53  may be connected to manifold  44 , however, control  53  may also be mounted to pressure tank  28  or fluid tank  30  in order to control flow of fluid  31 .  
         [0030]    Fluid  31  may be a liquid or a gas. Further, fluid  31  may be a pesticide, herbicide, fungicide, molluscide, nematicide, rodenticide, acaricide, miticide, fertilizer, growth hormone, nutrients, pheromone, microorganism or biological preparation, or any combination thereof.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 2 shows an alternate embodiment of apparatus  1 . In the embodiment of FIG. 2, pressure supply hose(s)  32  is attached at one end to pump  70 . An opposite side of pressure supply hose(s)  32  is attached to fluid tank inlet(s)  36  of fluid tank(s)  30 . Fluid supply hose(s)  37  having an inlet opening on an interior of fluid tank(s)  30  extends from fluid tanks outlet(s)  40  to a bottom of fluid tank(s)  30 . Manifold supply hose(s)  38  is attached at one end to fluid tank outlet(s)  40  on an exterior of fluid tank(s)  30 . Opposite ends of manifold supply hose(s)  38  is attached to manifold inlets  42  of manifold  44 . Spray nozzle supply hose(s)  46  is attached at one end to manifold outlet(s)  48 . An opposite end of spray nozzle supply hose(s)  46  is attached to spray nozzle(s)  50 . In operation, pump  70  supplies pressure to fluid tank(s)  30  through pressure supply hose(s)  32 . Pressure supplied by pump  70  forces fluid  31  through fluid supply hose(s)  37  to fluid tank(s) outlets  40 . Fluid  31  exits fluid tanks outlet(s)  40  and enters manifold supply hose(s)  38  which deliver fluid  31  to manifold  44 . Fluid exits manifold  44  through spray nozzle supply hose(s)  46  which carries fluid  31  to spray nozzle(s)  50  which disperses fluid  31  onto the compacted foliage. Spray nozzle(s)  50  is preferably a flat fan spray nozzle.  
         [0032]    A control  53  is attached to pump  70  to control the flow of fluid  31  from manifold  44  to spray nozzle  50 . Control  53  allows the operator of apparatus  1  to select the area of application and the amount of fluid  31  to be applied to the compacted foliage (not shown). As illustrated in FIG. 2, control  53  may be connected to pump  70 , however, control  53  may also be connected to fluid tanks  30  to control flow of said fluid  31 .  
         [0033]    Single or multiple fluid tanks  30  can be used in apparatus  1 . In the event that multiple fluid tanks  30  are used, multiple hoses  32  and  38  can also be used. Further, in the event that multiple spray nozzles  50  are used, multiple hoses  46  can also be used.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 2 also illustrates a plurality of spikes  76  which can be attached to roller  24  to aerate the earth during treatment of compacted foliage. The number and pattern of said plurality of spikes  76  contained on roller  24  can be varied based on a desired aeration pattern.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment on the present inventive apparatus. The embodiment in FIG. 3 is similar to the apparatus of FIG. 1, except that the embodiment of FIG. 3 is towed behind or pushed in front of a self-propelled vehicle as opposed to being mounted on a self-propelled vehicle. Accordingly, only those portions of the apparatus not previously described in FIG. 1 will be discussed below.  
         [0036]    Referring now to FIG. 3, frame  2  is mounted to towing frame  80 . Axle  82  is attached to towing frame  80  via axle brackets  84 . A pair of wheels  86  are attached to opposite ends of axle  82 . A tow hook  88  is attached to towing frame  80  such that apparatus  1  can be pulled or pushed by a self-propelled vehicle (not shown).  
         [0037]    The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.