Patent Publication Number: US-2015075116-A1

Title: Cartridge for a plant-treatment product sprayer, and related methods

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to the field of cartridges for plant-treatment product sprayers and related methods. 
     INTRODUCTION 
     Plant-treatment products, such as pesticides, fertilizers, and other soil amendments, are commonly used to enhance the growth of plants for which they are applied. In recent years, consumer environmental awareness and government regulation against toxic chemicals have contributed to a rise in demand for natural, organic plant treatment products, and especially pesticides. 
     SUMMARY 
     In a first aspect, there is a cartridge for a liquid reservoir of a plant-treatment product sprayer. The cartridge may comprise a liquid permeable pouch defining a pre-sealed internal volume, and a plant-treatment formulation in the internal volume. 
     In some embodiments, the plant-treatment formulation may comprise nematodes and a carrier formulation. 
     In some embodiments, the liquid permeable pouch may comprise a plurality of pores which provide the liquid permeability of the pouch, and each of the plurality of pores may be sized small enough to prevent passage of particles large enough to clog the sprayer. 
     In some embodiments, a size of each of the plurality of pores may be less than 2 mm. 
     In some embodiments, a size of each of the plurality of pores may be between 1.5 mm and 2 mm. 
     In some embodiments, the pouch may be flexible. 
     In some embodiments, the cartridge may further comprise a string extending from the liquid permeable pouch for handling the cartridge without touching the pouch. 
     In some embodiments, the pouch may comprise a woven material of fine filaments. 
     In some embodiments, the pouch may be biodegradable and may comprise polylactic acid. 
     In some embodiments, the nematodes may comprise entompathogenic nematodes. 
     In some embodiments, the plant-treatment formulation may comprise at least one of a pesticide, a fertilizer, and a soil amendment. 
     In some embodiments, the carrier formulation may comprise vermiculite. 
     In some embodiments, the cartridge may further comprise a vapor-permeable packaging enclosing the pouch, the pouch being removable from the packaging prior to use. 
     In some embodiments, the vapor-permeability of the packaging may be provided by a hole pierced in the packaging and a remainder of the packaging may be vapor-impermeable, 
     In another aspect, there is provided a method of providing a plant-treatment formulation to a liquid reservoir of a plant-treatment product sprayer. The method may comprise depositing a cartridge into the liquid reservoir, the cartridge including a liquid permeable pouch defining a pre-sealed internal volume, and a plant-treatment formulation in the internal volume; and at least partially filling the liquid reservoir with a liquid, the liquid permeating the pouch and carrying the plant-treatment formulation out of the pouch. 
     In some embodiments, the method may further comprise agitating the cartridge at least partially submerged in the liquid to encourage the plant-treatment formulation to exit the pouch with the liquid. 
     In some embodiments, the method may further comprise before depositing the cartridge, removing the cartridge from a vapor-permeable packaging enclosing the pouch. 
     In some embodiments, the plant-treatment formulation may comprise nematodes and a carrier formulation. 
     In some embodiments, the plant-treatment formulation may comprise at least one of a pesticide, a fertilizer, and a soil amendment. 
     In some embodiments, the liquid permeable pouch may comprise a plurality of pores which provide the liquid permeability of the pouch, and each of the plurality of pores is sized small enough to prevent passage of particles large enough to clog the sprayer. 
     In another aspect, there is provided a cartridge for dispensing a plant-treatment formulation. The cartridge may comprise a pouch containing the plant-treatment formulation, the plant-treatment formulation including one or more carrier components and one or more active components, the pouch configured to filter the one or more carrier components and allow passage of the one or more active components. 
     In some embodiments, the one or more active components includes a plurality of nematodes. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a side elevation view of a prior art plant-treatment product sprayer; 
         FIG. 2  shows a front elevation view of a cartridge for a liquid reservoir of a plant-treatment product sprayer, in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  shows a top view of the cartridge of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
       FIG,  4  shows a cross-sectional view of the cartridge of  FIG. 2 , taken along the line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  shows the cartridge of  FIG. 2  deposited into the liquid reservoir of the plant-treatment product sprayer of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of a cartridge for a liquid reservoir of a plant-treatment product sprayer, in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  shows the cartridge of  FIG. 6  in a compacted state, in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  shows the cartridge of  FIG. 2  in a plastic bag; 
         FIG. 9  shows a side view of the cartridge of  FIG. 2  being deposited into the liquid reservoir of a plant-treatment product sprayer; 
         FIG. 10  shows a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a plant-treatment product to a liquid reservoir of a plant-treatment product sprayer, in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of a back pack sprayer, in accordance with at least one example embodiment; and 
         FIG. 12  shows a side elevation view of a trailer tank sprayer, in accordance with at least one example embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS 
     Various apparatuses or processes will be described below to provide an example of an embodiment of each claimed subject matter. No embodiment described below limits any claimed subject matter and any claimed subject matter may cover processes or apparatuses that differ from those described below. The claimed subject matter are not limited to apparatuses or processes having all of the features of any one apparatus or process described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses or processes described below. It is possible that an apparatus or process described below is not an embodiment that is recited in any claimed subject matter. Any subject matter disclosed in an apparatus or process described herein that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicants, inventors or owners do not intend to abandon, disclaim or dedicate to the public any such subject matter by its disclosure in this document. 
     Furthermore, it will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the example embodiments described herein in any way, but rather as merely describing the implementation of various embodiments as described. 
     The terms “an embodiment,” “embodiment,” “embodiments,” “the embodiment,” “the embodiments,” “one or more embodiments,” “some embodiments,” and “one embodiment” mean “one or more (but not all) embodiments of the present invention(s),” unless expressly specified otherwise. 
     The terms “including,” “comprising” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to,” unless expressly specified otherwise. A listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an” and “the” mean “one or more,” unless expressly specified otherwise. 
       FIG. 1  shows a side elevation view of a prior art plant-treatment product sprayer  100  for applying plant-treatment formulation to soil and/or plants for the benefit of plants. Some examples of plant-treatment product sprayers include, but are not limited to, Scotts® Miracle Gro Feeder®, Gilmour® Fertilizing Feeder Model 405, RL Flo-Master Back Pack Sprayer Model 614, and Agrimax Professional Trailer Sprayer Model STT5512V, Daltmeier (50-500 gallon) Skid Mounted Sprayer, and Kings 200 Gallon Pest Control Skid Sprayer. 
     As used herein for the various embodiments and in the claims, the term “plant” includes all species of plantae, bacteria, and fungi. Further, as used herein and in the claims, the term “plant treatment formulation” includes pesticides (including but not limited to water soluble and water insoluble pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and plant growth regulators, miticides), microbes, fertilizers, and soil amendments. One example plant-treatment formulation includes a mixture of nematodes and a carrier formulation. Certain species of nematodes (e.g., entompathogenic nematodes), are used in organic pesticides because they are hostile to some varieties of garden pests. In sonic embodiments, the carrier formulation provides the nematodes in a storage medium designed to mimic their typical soil habitat. The carrier may also keep the nematodes in solution during the storage period prior to release. 
     In general, a plant-treatment product sprayer  100  typically receives liquid (e.g. water) from a liquid source (e.g. a water tank or municipal water supply), mixes the liquid with a plant-treatment formulation, and sprays the mixture of liquid and plant-treatment formulation onto targeted soil pests and/or plants. In the example shown, plant-treatment product sprayer  100  includes a liquid inlet  102 , a liquid reservoir  104 , and an outlet nozzle  106  Liquid inlet  102  in this example is configured to fluidly couple with a liquid source for receiving liquid therefrom. As shown, liquid inlet  102  includes a coupling  108  for connecting to a hose  110  of a liquid source. In other examples, plant-treatment product sprayer  100  includes an integral hose  110  which can be coupled to, or is itself integral with, a liquid source. 
     In use, liquid reservoir  104  of plant-treatment product sprayer  100  is removed, at least partially filled with liquid  112  (e.g. water) and plant-treatment formulation  114 , and then reinserted back into its proper working location for use. Next in this example, plant-treatment product sprayer  100  is activated, whereby liquid  112  from a liquid source (not shown) enters plant-treatment product sprayer  100  at liquid inlet  102 , flows into liquid reservoir  104 , and entrains plant-treatment formulation  114 , before spraying out of outlet nozzle  106 . In the example shown, plant-treatment product sprayer  100  includes a lever  116  for selectively activating plant-treatment product sprayer  100 . Lever  116  can be engaged by pulling upwards and released, in this example, to selectively open and close the liquid flow path between liquid inlet  112  and liquid reservoir  104 . 
     In the example shown, the liquid flow path between liquid reservoir  104  and nozzle  106  includes an uptake conduit  118  which extends into liquid reservoir  104 . In this example, the uptake conduit  118  is a straw. When plant-treatment product sprayer  100  is activated in this example, a mixture of liquid  112  and plant-treatment formulation  114  flows through uptake conduit  118  before spraying out of outlet nozzle  106 . Different plant-treatment product sprayers may be configured differently and may not include an uptake conduit  118  or may have a different structure. 
     As mentioned above, liquid reservoir  104  is partially pre-filled with plant-treatment formulation  114 . In some cases, loose plant-treatment formulation  114  is poured into liquid reservoir  104 . However, some plant-treatment formulations  114  include components, such as clay, vermiculite, coir, peat, or polymers, etc., which have been found to form clumps and clog the liquid flow path between liquid reservoir  104  and nozzle  106 . For example,  FIG. 1  shows a clump  120  of plant-treatment formulation  114  creating a blockage in uptake conduit  118 . When the liquid flow path between liquid reservoir  104  and outlet nozzle  106  is clogged, the flow rate through this liquid flow path and the spray out of outlet nozzle  106  is reduced, or worse halted. In some cases, restoring the flow rate inconveniently requires the user to deactivate plant-treatment product sprayer  100 , remove the liquid reservoir  104  and manually clear the blockage. 
     Some plant-treatment formulations  114  lose effectiveness when overexposed to liquid  112 . For example, some plant-treatment formulations include living organisms, such as nematodes. However, some organisms, such as nematodes, will drown if they remain in liquid for too long (e.g. 30 minutes or more). In some cases, delays created by the blockages described above, can cause some of plant-treatment formulation  114  to remain in liquid  112  for too long. In turn, there may be a reduction in the effectiveness of the remaining plant-treatment formulation  114  as the living organisms therein drown. 
     Some components of plant-treatment formulations are harmful to humans. For example, some plant-treatment formulations are carcinogenic if inhaled, and/or corrosive to skin-contact. Accordingly, it may be advisable to wear protective equipment, such as gloves and a respiratory device when handling loose plant-treatment formulation to mitigate the risk of harmful exposure. However, equipping such protective equipment may be inconvenient for some users. 
     Some components of plant-treatment formulations are sensitive to bacteria. For example, nematodes are sensitive to bacteria that are commonly found on human hands as well as certain types of mould. Consequently, there is a high mortality of nematodes observed when they are handled with bare hands. Dead nematodes make for ineffective components of a plant-treatment formulation. Accordingly, it may be advisable to wear protective gloves when handling loose plant-treatment formulation which includes sensitive organisms (e.g. nematodes). However, equipping protective gloves may be inconvenient for some users. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 2-4 .  FIG. 2  shows a front elevation view of a cartridge  200  for a liquid reservoir of a plant-treatment product sprayer, in accordance with at least one embodiment.  FIG. 3  shows a top view of cartridge  200 , in accordance with at least one embodiment.  FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional view of cartridge  200  taken along the line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 2 . 
     In the example shown, cartridge  200  includes a liquid permeable pouch  202 , which defines an internal volume  204 . A plant-treatment formulation  206 , in this example, is contained by pouch  202  in the internal volume  204 . In some embodiments, cartridge  200  is pre-seated (e.g. during manufacturing of cartridge  200 ) before it is sold to an end-user. In alternative embodiments, cartridge  200  and plant-treatment formulation  206  are separately provided to end-users. In these embodiments, the end-user at least partially fills internal volume  204  with plant-treatment formulation  206  before use 
     The pouch  202  advantageously allows the nematodes to be kept away from human contact to help keep bacteria levels low making a better environment for the nematodes and to ensure better storage and use. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , cartridge  200  may be deposited into liquid reservoir  104  of plant-treatment product sprayer  100  instead of depositing a loose plant-treatment formulation, as was shown in FIG,  1 . In contrast with handling loose plant-treatment formulation, cartridge  200  may provide a safer way of transferring plant-treatment formulation  206  into liquid reservoir  104 . For example, liquid permeable pouch  202  may provide an effective barrier between plant-treatment formulation  206  and a user. This may reduce user-exposure to plant-treatment formulation  206  lessening the risk of harm to the user and to components of the plant-treatment formulation  206  Plant-treatment formulation  206  may be less likely to make skin-contact with a user or become airborne when contained in pouch  202 . Still, in some embodiments, loose plant-treatment formulation  206  is deposited into liquid reservoir  104  in addition to cartridge  200 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-5 , pouch  202  is permeable to a mixture of liquid  112  and small particles  208  of plant-treatment formulation  206 , in the example shown. This may permit a mixture of liquid  112  and small particles  208  to flow out of pouch  202  and subsequently spray out of outlet nozzle  106 . In some embodiments, pouch  202  is not permeable to clumps  210  of plant-treatment formulation  206  that are large enough to clog plant-treatment sprayer  100 . 
     Pouch  202  includes a plurality of pores, in some embodiments, which provide the liquid permeability of pouch  202 . In some examples, the pores are sized large enough to allow passage of liquid  112  and small particles  208 , and sized small enough to prevent passage of clumps  210 . In some cases, clumps  210  break apart into small particles  208  when forced by liquid  112  through the pores of pouch  202 , which cannot accommodate large clumps. All of the pores of pouch  202  are smaller than 2 mm across in at least some embodiments. This may prevent clumps  210  having a diameter of 2 mm or more from passing through pouch  202  in these cases. 
     As mentioned above, some plant-treatment formulations include nematodes, which may be effective as an organic fertilizer. Accordingly, it may be desirable for the pores of pouch  202  to be sized large enough for nematodes to pass. Typically, juvenile nematodes have a length of between 0.4 mm and 1.5 mm. Therefore, in some examples, all of the pores of pouch  202  are larger than 1.5 mm across. In one such example, all of the pores of pouch  202  are between 1.5 mm and 2 mm across. 
     Further, some plant-treatment formulations include carrier components and active components. The active components may provide the intended plant-treatment effect when applied to, e.g. targeted plants. In some cases, the carrier components may enhance the shelf-life of the active components, or may help to retain the active components until they are applied to, e.g. targeted plants. For example, some plant-treatment formulations include active components such as nematodes, and a carrier formulated to emulate the natural habitat of the nematodes. This may help to reduce the mortality rate of the nematodes. In some embodiments, the pores of pouch  202  are sized to filter the carrier components of plant-treatment formulation  206 , and allow passage of the active components of plant-treatment formulation  206 . This may permit substantially all of the active components to pass through pouch  202 , for mixing with liquid  112  and eventually spraying out of outlet nozzle  106 , while retaining substantially all of the carrier ingredients within pouch  202 . 
     In some embodiments, pouch  202  is more permeable when wet, than when dry. This may help to prevent plant-treatment formulation  206  from escaping pouch  202  before it makes contact with liquid  112  inside liquid reservoir  104 , such as during shipping, storage on store-shelves, or user-handling. In some embodiments, the pores of pouch  202  are enlarged by contact with liquid  112 . In some embodiments, the pressure exerted by liquid  112  as it passes through pouch  202  breaks plant-treatment formulation  206  into small particles  208  which are small enough to pass through the pores of pouch  202 . Still, in alternative embodiments, the permeability of pouch  202  to plant-treatment formulation  206  may be relatively the same when pouch  202  is dry and when pouch  202  is wet. 
     In some embodiments, pouch  202  is less permeable to dry plant-treatment formulation than to wet plant-treatment formulation. This may help to prevent dry plant-treatment formulation  206  from escaping pouch  202  before it makes contact with liquid  112  inside liquid reservoir  104 , such as during shipping, storage on store-shelves, and user-handling. In some examples, one or more components of plant-treatment formulation  206  dissolves or decomposes from contact with liquid  112 . Still, in alternative embodiments, the permeability of pouch  202  to dry and wet plant-treatment formulation  206  is relatively the same. 
     In various embodiments, pouch  202  is made from one or more of a woven material, a non-woven material, and a film. The material of pouch  202  in some cases includes a web of fine-filaments. In some cases, the web includes fine-filaments woven in a weave pattern, such as a basket-weave for example. The fine-filaments may include one or more of natural fibers, synthetic fibers and combinations thereof. 
     In some embodiments, the material of pouch  202  is biodegradable. For example, the material of pouch  202  may include a biodegradable bioplastic. Bioplastics include starch blends made from thermo-plastically modified starch, biodegradable polymers, polyesters, and polyhydroxy-alkanoate (PHA). Polylactic acid is one example of suitable polyester bioplastic that is both compostable and biodegradable. Polylactic acid, and some other biodegradable bioplastics may provide pouch  202  with a soft, textile-like appearance and feel. Other suitable biopiastics include starches (corn, potato and/or rice), cellulose and soy proteins. Still, in alternative embodiments, the material of pouch  202  may not be biodegradable, and does not have a soft textile-like appearance and feel. For example, the material of pouch  202  may be made from metal. Pouch  202 , in some examples, is made from a wire mesh. In other embodiments, pouch  202  is made from a plant-based material, or mixtures of plant-based and artificial materials. The material of pouch  202 , in some examples, includes one or more of paper (e.g. filter paper), bamboo, cotton, polyester, and nylon or some other combinational filter material. 
     In some embodiments, cartridge  200  is flexible. This may permit cartridge  200  to be inserted into liquid reservoirs having different sizes, shapes and differently sized and shaped openings. Still, in other embodiments cartridge  200  is rigid and not flexible. 
     In some embodiments, cartridge  200  contains a pre-measured quantity of plant-treatment formulation  206 . The pre-measured quantity, in some examples, corresponds to an ideal quantity for plant-treatment product sprayers of a certain (e.g. standard) size, or else a specific model of plant-treatment product sprayer. This may be easier and faster than determining, measuring, and pouring loose plant-treatment formulation  114  into the liquid reservoir of a plant-treatment product sprayer  100 . 
     According to some embodiments, certain cartridges  200  are sized for small household plant-treatment product sprayers, and certain other cartridges  200  are sized for large industrial plant-treatment product sprayers. In either case, the cartridge  200  is flexible and/or sized to fit into the opening of the reservoirs for different types of sprayers. An example of a cartridge  200  sized for household plant-treatment product sprayers measures about 6 cm in width, 8 cm in height, and 2 cm in depth. In some examples, a cartridge  200  of this size includes plant-treatment formulation having about 25 million nematodes. An example of a cartridge  200  sized for industrial plant-treatment product sprayers measures about 12 cm in width, 25 cm in height, and 10 cm in depth. In some examples, a cartridge  200  of this size includes plant-treatment formulation having about 250 million nematodes. 
     In some embodiments, cartridge  200  is a single-use product that is disposed after the plant-treatment product inside has been expended (e.g. sprayed out of a nozzle of a plant-treatment sprayer). In embodiments where cartridge  200  is biodegradable, an expended cartridge  200  may be disposed of in a compost bin, into a garden, or a municipal organic-waste bin (a “green” bin). In some embodiments, cartridge  200  includes a reusable, refillable, and recloseable pouch  202 . In one example, pouch  202  can be opened, refilled with loose plant-treatment formulation, and then reclosed. 
     In the example shown, cartridge  200  has a substantially rectangular front profile. However, cartridge  200  can be formed in any shape, such as spherical, pyramidal, and cubical for example. Cartridge  202  may be manufactured by depositing a quantity of plant-treatment formulation on a web of pouch-material, folding the pouch-material over the plant-treatment formulation and itself, and then sealing overlapping edges  212 . Edges  212  are sealed by any suitable means, such as melt-bonding and/or using adhesive and/or using appropriate stitching or sealing method. 
     In the example shown, cartridge  200  has a string  214 . As shown, string  214  is coupled to pouch  202 . String  214  may permit a user to manipulate cartridge  200  (e.g. deposit cartridge  200  into liquid reservoir  104 , and/or agitate cartridge  200  in liquid reservoir  104 , etc.) without directly touching pouch  202 . This may further reduce user-exposure to plant-treatment formulation  206  to the benefit of the user&#39;s health and the effectiveness of the plant-treatment formulation  206 . Still, in alternative embodiments, cartridge  200  does not have a string  214 , and a user may manipulate cartridge  200  by direct handling of pouch  202 . However, the string  214  may be useful for larger sized cartridges. 
       FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of a cartridge  300  for a liquid reservoir of a plant-treatment product sprayer, according to another embodiment. In the example shown, cartridge  300  includes a pouch  302 , and drawstrings  304  coupled to pouch  302 . Drawstrings  304  may permit pouch  302 , which contains a volume of plant-treatment formulation, to be reconfigured into a more compact shape for depositing into the liquid reservoir of a plant-treatment product sprayer. 
     In the example shown, when cartridge  300  is in a relaxed state, it is shaped wide and long with a narrow depth. In some embodiments, drawstrings  304  are fastened to pouch  302  such that they collapse the shape of cartridge  300  when drawn. FIG,  7  shows an example of cartridge  300  in a compacted state after drawstrings  304  have been drawn. A relaxed state that is wide and long with a narrow depth may in some cases provide stability to a stack of cartridges  300 . It may be desirable to stack cartridges  300  during shipping and storage, for example. However, in such a relaxed state, cartridge  300  may be too bulky to fit easily into some liquid reservoirs. Thus, it may be convenient to draw on drawstrings  304  to provide cartridge  300  with a more compact shape which may be more easily deposited into the liquid reservoirs of some plant-treatment product sprayers. Still, in alternative embodiments, cartridge  300  does not include drawstrings  304 . 
       FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of a back pack sprayer  500 , in accordance with at least one embodiment. In the example shown back pack sprayer  500  includes a liquid reservoir  504 , and an outlet nozzle  506 . As shown, a cartridge  200  has been inserted into liquid reservoir  504 . The cartridge  200  that is shown  FIG. 11  may have different dimensions and carry a different amount of plant treatment formulation compared to the other cartridges shown and described herein. In use plant-treatment formulation from cartridge  200  mixes with liquid inside liquid reservoir  504 , and the mixture is sprayed out of outlet nozzle  506 . 
       FIG. 12  shows a side elevation view of a trailer tank sprayer  600 , in accordance with at least one embodiment. In the example shown trailer tank sprayer  600  includes a liquid reservoir  604 , and an outlet hose  606 . As shown, a cartridge  300  has been inserted into liquid reservoir  604 . In use, plant-treatment formulation from cartridge  300  mixes with liquid inside liquid reservoir  604 , and the mixture is delivered to an outlet nozzle (not shown) via outlet hose  606 . 
     In some embodiments, pouch  202  is made of vapor-permeable material. This may permit ambient air to circulate through pouch  202 . Some plant-treatment formulations include living organisms, such as nematodes, which breathe. During extended storage, these living organisms may perish prematurely if pouch  202  is vapor impermeable, leading to a shorter product shelf life, and reduced effectiveness of the plant-treatment formulation. Moreover, some plant-treatment formulations are sensitive to moisture, and/or prone to molding if exposed to excessive moisture during storage. This may also lead to a shorter product shelf life, and reduced effectiveness of the plant-treatment formulation. A vapor-permeable pouch  202  may in some cases permit ambient air to circulate through pouch  202  to allow organisms in the plant-treatment formulation to breathe, and to carry away moisture accumulated in pouch  202 . Still, in alternative embodiments, pouch  202  is air-impermeable, at least when pouch  202  is dry. 
     In some embodiments, one or more cartridges  200  is provided in packaging.  FIG. 8  shows an example of a cartridge  200  provided in a plastic bag  216 . In the example shown, plastic bag  216  includes a reclosable opening  218 . Opening  218  may be normally closed during shipping and storage of plastic bag  216 , and then opened to remove cartridge  200  before use. In alternative embodiments, plastic bag  216  is permanently sealed. In some examples, plastic bag  216  may be torn or cut open to access cartridge  200 . Although, the illustrated embodiment includes packaging made of transparent plastic, alternative embodiments include both opaque and transparent packaging, and packaging made of any one or more of a variety of materials including, for example, paper, nylon, cotton, silk, and metal. 
     As discussed above, it may be beneficial for cartridge  200  to be vapor-permeable (e.g. to allow plant-treatment formulation to breathe, and to reduce moisture accumulation). Similarly, it may be beneficial for the packaging of cartridge  200  to be vapor-permeable. This may permit ambient air, from outside of the packaging, to circulate through a vapour-permeable pouch  202 , located inside of the packaging. In the example shown, the vapor-permeability of plastic bag  216 , when recloseable opening  218  is closed, is provided by a hole  220  pierced in the plastic bag  216 . The remainder of plastic bag  216 , in this example, is vapor-impermeable. In other embodiment, the material of the packaging is naturally vapor permeable (e.g. cotton). Still, in alternative embodiments, the packaging of cartridge  200  is substantially air-impermeable. These various embodiments help control too much moisture from building up by allowing for some air flow so that the contents of the pouch  202  can move and breathe. 
     According to at least one embodiment, there is a use of cartridge  200  for providing plant-treatment formulation to a liquid reservoir of a plant-treatment product sprayer  100 , wherein the cartridge  200  includes a liquid permeable pouch  202  containing a plant-treatment formulation  206 .  FIG. 10  shows a flowchart illustrating a method  400  of providing a plant-treatment product to a liquid reservoir of a sprayer, in accordance with at least one embodiment. Although the flowchart shows certain acts performed in a certain order, in some embodiments, method  400  may omit one or more of the acts shown, and/or includes one or more additional acts not shown. Moreover, in some embodiments, one or more of the acts of method  400  are practiced in an order that is different from that shown, and/or two or more of the acts of method  400  are practiced simultaneously. 
     For clarity, method  400  is described with reference to a cartridge  200 , and a plant-treatment product sprayer  100 . However, in alternative embodiments, method  400  is practiced using other suitable apparatus. 
     At  402 , cartridge  200  is removed from packaging. In some embodiments, the packaging is a vapor-permeable packaging, such as plastic bag  216 , which includes a hole  220 . In one example, removing cartridge  200  from plastic bag  216  includes opening up recloseable opening  218  and then taking cartridge  200  out of plastic bag  216  through the opened opening  218 . In alternative embodiments, cartridge  200  is not enclosed in packaging and method  400  does not include act  402 . 
     At  404 , cartridge  200  is deposited into a liquid reservoir  104  of a plant-treatment product sprayer  100 .  FIG. 9  shows a side view of cartridge  200  being deposited into liquid reservoir  104  through mouth  122  of liquid reservoir  104 . As shown, cartridge  200  includes a pre-measured quantity of plant-treatment formulation. In some cases, depositing a cartridge  200  of pre-measured quantity of plant-treatment formulation is easier and faster than determining, measuring, and pouring loose plant-treatment formulation into liquid reservoir  104 . 
     In the example shown, pouch  202  of cartridge  200  is grasped directly by the user. However, in some cases, pouch  202  provides an effective barrier between the plant-treatment formulation that is contained inside the pouch  202  and the user. In these cases, pouch  202  may reduce user-exposure to the plant-treatment formulation to the benefit of the user&#39;s health and the effectiveness of the plant-treatment formulation. 
     In some embodiments, cartridge  200  includes a string (not shown). In these embodiments, depositing cartridge  200  can include using the string to lower cartridge  200  through mouth  122  of liquid reservoir  104 . This may further reduce user-exposure to the plant-treatment formulation to the benefit of the user&#39;s health and the effectiveness of the plant-treatment formulation. 
     At  406 , liquid reservoir  104  is at least partially filled with liquid  112 . In some examples, the liquid reservoir  104  is filled with liquid  112  before depositing cartridge  202  at  404 . In various embodiments, at least partially filling liquid reservoir  104  with liquid  112  occurs before or after reconnecting liquid reservoir  104  to plant-treatment product sprayer  100 . For example, liquid reservoir  104  may be at least partially filled with liquid  112  by activating plant-treatment product sprayer  100 , or by a user manually pouring an initial quantity of liquid  112  into liquid reservoir  104 . 
     At  408 , cartridge  200  is agitated while at least partially submerged in liquid  112  inside liquid reservoir  104 . This may encourage the plant treatment formulation to exit pouch  202  and mix with liquid  112 . In some examples, agitating cartridge  200  forces some liquid  112  to circulate through pouch  202 , and entrain some of the plant-treatment formulation inside. In various embodiments, agitating cartridge  200  may include one or more of grasping and shaking pouch  202 ; grasping string  214  and repeatedly dunking cartridge  200  into liquid  112 ; shaking liquid reservoir  104  with liquid  112  and cartridge  200  inside, or submerging cartridge  200  into liquid  112  and stirring (e.g. with a stir-stick). 
     Still, in alternative embodiments, cartridge  200  is not agitated while at least partially submerged in liquid  112  inside liquid reservoir  104 . In some cases, plant-treatment formulation  206  dissolves rapidly in liquid  112 , such that pre-agitation is not required to ensure an adequate outflux of plant-treatment formulation from cartridge  200 . In other cases, the cartridge  200  may be required to be positioned within the liquid reservoir  104  for a certain period of time to allow for the outflux of plant-treatment formulation from the cartridge  200  into the liquid reservoir  104 . 
     It should be noted that the use of the cartridge  200  allows for accurate pre-measurement which encourages the correct usage of the pesticide in use as the users will not have to make any measurements of any ingredients to correctly use the pesticide. 
     It should be noted that the various cartridges described herein may be used with various sprayers. For example, a Miracle Grow sprayer systems with large orifices or the Gilmour Fertilizing Feeder Model No. 405 with a dial control for 4 different sprayer patterns was found to work well with the various cartridges described herein. Other example applications include submerging one of the various cartridges described herein into the liquid reservoir of a watering can, hand-held mister-type sprayer, and other irrigation systems. In some embodiments, the various cartridges described herein may be mixed into open soil or soil contained in a growing vessel (e.g. a container, pot, or planter). 
     While the above description provides examples of the embodiments, it will be appreciated that some features and/or functions of the described embodiments are susceptible to modification without departing from the principles of operation of the described embodiments. Accordingly, what has been described above has been intended to be illustrative of the subject matter described herein and nonlimiting and it will be understood by persons skilled in the art that other variants and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the subject matter as defined in the claims appended hereto. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments and examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.