Patent Application
20190060928
The present invention relates to the application of liquid active substances with the aid of a portable spray device. The subject matter of the present invention is a portable device for applying active substances, and a method for applying active substances with the aid of a portable spray device.
Portable spray devices for applying active substances such as pesticides, insecticides, herbicides and fungicides are known (DE102013109785A1, US2006/0249223A1, US2006/0102245 A1, US2006/0261181A1, US2005/0006400A1).
Commonly used are spray devices, which are referred to as compression sprayers. They comprise a tank for receiving the liquid to be sprayed. A generally manually operated air pressure pump which forms part of the tank contains a conventional piston rod assembly and an actuating handle for the same. This air pressure pump is used to generate an air pressure over the liquid to be sprayed. The pressurization of the tank is effected by the operator periodically actuating the pump until a desired tank pressure is reached. The spray liquid exits through a tube immersed in the liquid in the tank due to the air pressure exerted thereon and then flows through a tube, a spray jet valve at the outer end of the tube, an extension pipe and finally through a spray nozzle to the selected target area.
A disadvantage of such a spray device is that the ejection pressure can not be kept constant by the manually operated air pump. The result is a spray pattern that is changing according to the flow rate. Accordingly, the active substance can only be dosed inaccurately.
An electrically operated air pump can remedy this, but for a targeted, accurate and uniform application of the active substance, it is necessary that the pressure in the tank is kept constant. In addition, the tank must be pressure stable. In most cases such tanks are therefore made of metal or thick-walled plastic. The tanks are correspondingly heavy and unwieldy.
Pesticides, insecticides, herbicides and fungicides are nowadays increasingly brought to market in the form of concentrates. Concentrates have the advantage of lower transport costs. The user must dilute the active substance before use. The instructions for dilution are usually found on the package or on a package insert.
However, a dilution made by the user is disadvantageous for the following reasons: The user may come into undesirable contact with the active substance. It is conceivable that the user may make mistakes in calculating the amounts of concentrate and diluent. High viscosity of the concentrate may result in an inaccurate volumetric measurement of the required amount.
An inaccurate dosing of active substances can have a number of unwanted consequences. The treatment of the sprayed object can be ineffective or it can lead to an overdose. It is conceivable that regulatory requirements on quantities delivered are not met. It is conceivable that inventory control errors may occur because the quantities dispensed have been calculated incorrectly.
Another disadvantage of the spray device described above is that the tank must first be cleaned when using another active substance. If necessary, the cleaning liquid must be disposed of.
Based on the described prior art, the object was to provide a portable device for applying active substances, which is easy to handle, in which no manual dilution of concentrates is required, which delivers a precisely definable amount of active substance, which is convenient for the user to carry and transport, and in which no time-consuming cleaning is required.
According to the invention this object is achieved by the subject of independent claims 1 and 10. Preferred embodiments can be found in the dependent claims as well as in the description.
A first subject of the present invention is thus a spray device for pest control, which can be transported by a person without mechanical aids, comprising
A further subject of the present invention is a method for pest control by applying a mixture of a first and a second liquid to a target object by means of a spray device that can be transported by a person without mechanical aids, comprising two containers, a spray nozzle and a valve, the method comprising the following steps:
According to the invention, the conveyance of the first and the second liquid from their containers in the direction of a spray nozzle takes place by means of two pumps. As a result, in particular, the first container with the first liquid can be operated without pressure. It can be made of lighter and more flexible material than the pressure tanks of the known compression sprayers.
In addition, mixing the first and the second liquids occurs automatically—a manual mixing by a user is not required. The first and second liquids are kept in separate containers and are combined just prior to application onto the target object. This will help to avoid potential user errors in making the mix, and accidental contamination of the user with the liquids.
Both liquids are conveyed by means of the respective pump in the direction of the spray nozzle. They exit the spray device through the spray nozzle together as a mixture. The mixing ratio is automatically set based on the flow of the first liquid. For this purpose, a flow meter measures the flow of the first liquid from the first container in the direction of the spray nozzle and transmits it to the control unit. The control unit then adjusts the flow of the second liquid in the direction of the spray nozzle on the basis of this flow of the first liquid. If, for example, the flow of the first liquid decreases, the flow of the second liquid is reduced, so that the mixing ratio remains constant. As the flow of the first liquid increases, the flow of the second liquid is increased accordingly.
The individual elements which characterize the spray device according to the invention and the method according to the invention are explained in more detail below. This explanation does not distinguish between spray device and method. Instead, the following descriptions apply to all subjects of the invention.
The spray device according to the invention is transportable. Transportable is understood to mean that the device can be brought from one place to another place by a person without mechanical aids.
In an embodiment, the spray device is embodied so that the user carries in transport one part of the spray device comprising the first tank in one hand, and another part of the spray device comprising the spray nozzle in the other.
Preferably, the spray device is embodied so that the user can carry and transport a part of the spray device, which includes the first liquid container, on the back (backpack device). Another part, which includes the spray nozzle, is still carried with one hand, but the second hand is now free. To carry the container on the back, it is equipped with appropriate straps.
The spray device is equipped with a first container for receiving a first liquid. The term “liquid” is intended to include solutions, emulsions and suspensions.
The first liquid is preferably a diluent. The diluent is used to dilute the second liquid that is in the second container. In a preferred embodiment, the diluent is water.
The first container preferably has an opening which can be closed with a resealable closure. The first container can be filled with the first liquid by means of the opening.
The first container may be made of any material that is compatible with the first liquid. This means that the material is not chemically attacked by the first liquid and that the material is impermeable to the first liquid.
The first tank is operated without pressure. Due to the fact that the container does not have to withstand overpressure, it can be made from thin-walled and lightweight material. In a preferred embodiment, the first container is embodied as a flexible bag. Such a bag preferably has straps so that it can be strapped to and worn like a backpack on the back.
The second container can also be operated without pressure. It contains the second liquid. Accordingly, the second container must be compatible with the second liquid, that is, the material of the second container is not chemically attacked by the second liquid, and the material is impermeable to the second liquid.
The second liquid is preferably a concentrate to be diluted by the diluent. Preferably, the second liquid is an active substance formulation, preferably comprising a pesticide, insecticide, herbicide or fungicide. In a particularly preferred embodiment, it is a pesticide concentrate. Preferably, the pesticide is an agent for controlling animal pests, more preferably an acaricide (for mites/arachnids), an insecticide (for insect pests) or a rodenticide (for rodents).
The second container is embodied as a replaceable disposable or reusable container. It can be reversibly connected to the spray device. The spray device and the second container have corresponding connecting means.
The means for connecting the container may be, for example, a screw or bayonet connection.
In a preferred embodiment, the second container is at least partially made of a plastic. Plastics are known to be chemically inert to many substances. They are also light, can be processed readily and can be formed in almost any shape.
In a preferred embodiment, the second container is embodied as a pressure vessel. Preferably, it contains a pressurized propellant separated from the second liquid, in addition to the second liquid. The second container preferably has a valve. Preferably, the valve is automatically opened when the second container is connected to the spray device according to the invention. The pressurized propellant pushes the second liquid from the second container into the spray device. Another valve located in the spray device stops the further flow of the second liquid. This additional valve preferably opens when a user starts an application operation, usually by actuating a handle.
The second container embodied as a pressure vessel may for example consist of aluminum or tin sheet—materials that are pressure resistant and, for example, are used in spray cans (e.g. shaving foam).
It is conceivable that the second container contains a bag with the second liquid, wherein the bag is connected to the valve (valve bag system). The propellant surrounds the bag filled with the second liquid and exerts the necessary pressure for expelling the second liquid from the second container (see, e. g., DE69820260T2, U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,039, EP0718213A).
It is also conceivable that the propellant and the second liquid are separated by a piston (see, e. g. DE3934237A1). The propellant exerts pressure on the piston. If the valve is opened, the second liquid is forced out of the second container by the piston. It is conceivable, for example, the use of a ZIMA piston.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second container has means that allow communication with the control unit of the spray device. In a preferred embodiment, these means allow the control unit to determine a mixing ratio. It is conceivable, for example, that the means for connecting the second container to the spray device have electrical contacts which establish an electrical contact between the spray device and the control unit when the second container is connected, by means of which electronic communication between the control unit and the second container is made possible. The second container may, for example, comprise an electronic memory which can be read by the control unit by means of the established contact. Information about the liquid present in the second container can be stored in this memory. In particular, a mixing ratio may be stored there, i. e. information about how the first and second liquids should be mixed.
If the second liquid is a concentrate that must be diluted with a diluent prior to application, the dilution level to be set should be noted and/or stored at or on the container. In the preferred embodiment described, the dilution level to be set is stored in a form in which it can be determined by the control unit. This can be done, as described, by means of an electronic communication. Of course, contactless communication is also possible, i. e. by means of electromagnetic waves (Bluetooth, near-field communication, etc.) in addition to the contact-based communication described.
Furthermore, the spray device according to the invention has a spray nozzle. By means of the spray nozzle, a mixture of the first and second liquids is delivered to a target object. A desired spatial distribution of the applied mixture can be achieved by means of the spray nozzle. Typically, the spray nozzle transforms the liquid passing through it into droplets having a specific droplet size distribution which depends, among other things, on the pressure of the liquid, the flow rate of the liquid and the geometry of the spray nozzle.
Preferably, the spray nozzle is replaceable, so that a user can select a spray nozzle adapted to the application and the target object with a desired drop size distribution and spatial distribution of the spray material.
The spray nozzle may, for example, be lance-shaped or pistol-shaped, or have a different shape. Preferably, it is embodied so that it can be held with one hand by the user and directed to the target object.
Typically, the spray nozzle has a handle that is actuated by the user to start a spraying operation. Usually, a valve is opened by operating the handle, so that first and second liquid are conveyed from their respective containers in the direction of the spray nozzle and through the spray nozzle to the target object.
In a preferred embodiment, the interchangeable spray nozzle and the control unit have means that allow the control unit to identify the presence of a spray nozzle and/or the type of spray nozzle present. It is conceivable, for example, that the control unit only initiates the conveyance of the liquids from their containers in the direction of the spray nozzle, only if a spray nozzle is connected also. If no spray nozzle is connected, there will be no conveyance, e. g. for safety reasons. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the control unit adapts the parameters for conveying the liquids to the type of spray nozzle present, in order to allow an optimum spray result. It is conceivable that a spray nozzle requires a minimum pressure of the incoming liquid in order to produce a desired spatial distribution of the spray liquid. This minimum pressure could be coded at the spray nozzle in a manner that can be read by the control unit so that the user does not have to manually set such parameters.
Preferably, a valve is mounted in front of the spray nozzle. Preferably, this valve can be operated manually, so that the user can direct the spray nozzle on the target object and start the spraying operation by manually opening the valve.
It is also conceivable that the valve is opened automatically. It is conceivable, for example, that the spray device has a sensor which identifies the spatial position of the spray nozzle and automatically opens or closes the valve at a certain position. It is conceivable, for example, that the valve is closed when the spray nozzle is directed to the ground and is opened when the spray nozzle is lifted in the horizontal.
It is also conceivable that the valve is opened automatically when the spray nozzle approaches the target object. This can be done for example by means of sensors or GPS-based (GPS=Global Positioning System).
The spray device according to the invention has two pumps; a first pump for conveying the first liquid from the first container in the direction of the spray nozzle, and a second pump for conveying the second liquid from the second container in the direction of the spray nozzle.
In a preferred embodiment, a stepper motor metering pump is used as the second pump for conveying the second liquid (see, e. g., DE102004047584, WO2012048976, DE102009006203). By means of the stepper motor drive, even small amounts of the second liquid can be added with high accuracy to the first liquid.
The spray device according to the invention has a flow meter for measuring the flow of the first liquid from the first container in the direction of the spray nozzle. By means of such a flow meter, the amount of liquid flowing per unit of time in the direction of the spray nozzle is detected. Amount of liquid is understood to mean the volume or the mass, depending on the measuring method used.
The flow meter is preferably one that is usually used in closed piping, such as a magnetic-inductive flow meter, a floating element flow meter, an ultrasonic flow meter, a Coriolis mass flow meter, a calorimetric flow meter or a vortex flow meter. But it is also conceivable to use a measuring orifice or a pitot tube.
In a preferred embodiment, the flow is measured with the aid of a differential pressure sensor.
In a further preferred embodiment, an impeller sensor is used for flow measurement. The measuring principle is based on the fact that an impeller assumes a speed proportional to the flow velocity of a fluid through which the impeller is driven. To measure the speed a permanent magnet can be attached to the impeller, which moves with the impeller. A Hall sensor, past which the permanent magnet passes, can be used as a pulse counter. The number of pulses measured per unit of time is proportional to the speed of the impeller and thus to the flow rate of the liquid.
Details on flow measurement can be found, for example, in the following textbook: K. W. Bonfig: Technische Durchflussmessung, Vulkan-Verlag Essen, 3rd edition, 2002, ISBN 3-8027-2190-X.
Based on the amount of liquid of the first liquid flowing in the direction of the spray nozzle, the control unit adjusts the flow of the second liquid from the second container in the direction of the spray nozzle.
First and second liquid exit the spray device through the spray nozzle together as a mixture.
It is conceivable that the first liquid and the second liquid are combined in the spray nozzle by means of corresponding supply lines. However, it has been found that the first and second liquids are not sufficiently mixed in this case when they reach the target object. Preferably, therefore, there is a mixing chamber in front of the spray nozzle, in which the first and the second liquid are introduced by means of two separate supply lines. In the mixing chamber, mixing of the first and second liquids then occurs before the mixture enters the spray nozzle.
The mixing chamber accordingly has an inlet for the first liquid, an inlet for the second liquid, and an outlet for a mixture of first and second liquids. The mixing chamber may also be a portion of the supply line for the first liquid to the spray nozzle, into which a line for the second liquid opens.
The mixing can be promoted by suitable measures, for example by static mixing elements.
The lines between the second container and the mixing chamber are preferably embodied to have a small volume. After an application operation, residual amounts of the (undiluted) second liquid remain in the lines between the second container and the mixing chamber. If necessary, these residues must be disposed of; if necessary, the lines must be cleaned when changing the second container. The smaller the volume, the lower the residual quantities are that have to be disposed of and the smaller the volume to be cleaned. Preferably, the volume that the second liquid may occupy on its way in the direction of the mixing chamber between the second container and the mixing chamber is less than 50 ml, more preferably less than 30 ml, even more preferably less than 10 ml.
Preferably, the second liquid is added transversely to the flow direction of the first liquid. The term “transverse” means: at an angle in the range of 20° to 160°, preferably 50° to 130°, more preferably 70° to 110°, most preferably 80° to 100°.
In a preferred embodiment, the second liquid is dosed by a flow divider into the first liquid. In a further preferred embodiment, the second liquid is dosed into the first liquid and both liquids pass together through a flow divider. A flow divider is a static element which divides a flow of a liquid into a plurality of stream filaments. Preferably, the flow divider is embodied in the form of a screen, i. e., in the flow direction the liquid(s) is(are) forced through a screen, which divides the flow into stream filaments. By means of such a screen, in particular, drops of the second liquid which enter the first liquid are divided into a plurality of small drops. Turbulence behind the screen leads to dispersion of the small drops in the first liquid. Surprisingly, it has been found that such a screen is sufficient as a static mixing element in order to achieve sufficient mixing of first and second liquids at the spray nozzle. If no screen is used, it can be observed that individual drops of the second liquid are retained on the route from the mixing chamber to the spray nozzle and thus an inhomogeneous mixture exits the spray nozzle. Further static mixing elements other than a screen are surprisingly not necessary to achieve sufficient mixing at the spray nozzle. In addition, a screen has the advantage of a much lower pressure loss compared to a classic static mixer, which alternately divides the fluid flow, twists it and combines it. There should be a pressure in front of the spray nozzle that is within a defined range so that the spray nozzle can achieve a desired spatial distribution of the liquid. This pressure is provided by the conveying means of the spray device. However, the pressure provided by the conveying means must be higher than the pressure required in front of the spray nozzle in order to compensate for the pressure loss across the existing supply lines, mixing chamber, mixing elements, etc. However, a higher pressure loss also means a higher energy expenditure to compensate for the pressure loss, which results in a higher load capacity when using battery-operated pumps. Preferably, the screen is embodied like a mesh with a mesh size of 10 μm to 500 μm, more preferably 50 μm to 250 μm, most preferably 80 μm to 120 μm. The webs between the meshes usually have a width which is smaller than the mesh size in order to minimize the flow resistance and thus the pressure loss.
The spray device according to the invention also has a control unit. This control unit provides for an adjustment of the amount of the second liquid from the second container in the direction of the spray nozzle. According to the invention, this adjustment is carried out on the basis of the flow of the first liquid from the first container in the direction of the spray nozzle, measured by means of the flow meter. Another parameter that is included in the adjustment is the mixing ratio to be set. This mixing ratio can be specified by the user by inputting the mixing ratio in the control unit, for example; but it is also possible that the control unit detects the mixing ratio by a communication with a memory unit of the second container.
As described above, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit is connected to the replaceable second container such that the control unit can receive, from the replaceable second container, a dilution level to be set for the concentrate contained in the replaceable second container.
The control unit receives the measured values of the flow meter in relation to the flow of the first liquid and adjusts the flow of the second liquid so that the first and second liquids exit the spray device via the spray nozzle as a mixture with a constant mixing ratio. A “constant mixing ratio” is understood to mean that the mixing ratio over the spraying time is within a predefined range.
In a further preferred embodiment, the control unit detects the amount of second liquid applied and stores this value and transmits this value to an external computer system, for example at a user-definable time. In this way, the amount of applied second liquid can be tracked.
In a preferred embodiment, the position (which can be determined by GPS) of the application is also detected in addition to the quantity of the applied second liquid in each case.
In a further preferred embodiment, the residual quantity of second liquid in the second container is determined on the basis of the applied quantity of second liquid. Preferably, the value for this residual quantity is stored in a memory unit in the spray device and/or at the second container.
In a preferred embodiment, the spray device according to the invention has a pressure sensor which measures the pressure in the supply line to the spray nozzle.
If the first and the second liquids are conveyed in the direction of the spray nozzle, pressure builds up in front of the spray nozzle. In order to produce a consistent spray pattern, it is necessary that this pressure remains constant during the spraying operation. This is ensured by connecting the pressure sensor to the control unit, which adjusts the flow of the first and second liquids so that the measured pressure remains constant.
The invention will be explained in more detail by means of exemplary embodiments, but without wishing to limit the invention to these examples.
The first container (10) is embodied as a flexible bag comprising an opening for filling the first liquid (11), wherein the opening can be reversibly closed by a closure (12).
The second liquid (21) meets the first liquid (11) in the mixing chamber (80).
When the valve (40) is opened, the first liquid (11) is conveyed by means of the first pump (15) in the direction of the spray nozzle (30). The flow of the first liquid is measured by flow meter (2). The flow meter (2) is communicatively connected with the control unit (1) (shown by the dashed line). The flow measured by the flow meter (2) is transmitted to the control unit (1). The control unit (1) is communicatively connected with the second pump (25) (shown by the dashed line). The control unit (1) adjusts the flow of the second liquid (21) in the direction of the spray nozzle, so that the first liquid and the second liquid exit the spray nozzle in the form of a mixture (50) with a constant mixing ratio.
The spray device comprises a control unit (1), a flow meter (2), a pressure sensor (3), a first container (10) with a first liquid (11), a second container (20) with a second liquid (21), a first pump (15), a second pump (25), a spray nozzle (30), a mixing chamber (80) and a valve (40). The first container (10) is embodied as a flexible bag having an opening for filling the first liquid (11), wherein the opening can be reversibly closed by a closure (12).
The second container (20) is embodied as a replaceable cartridge. The cartridge is connected by means of connecting means (22a) for connecting the cartridge to the spray device with the spray device. The spray device has connecting means (22b) compatible with the connecting means (22a) of the cartridge.
The control unit (1) is communicatively connected (shown by dashed lines) with the flow meter (2), the pressure gauge (3), the first pump (15) and the second pump (25). The pumps (15, 25) are electrically operated.
When the valve (40) is opened, the first liquid (11) is conveyed out of the first container (10) in the direction of the spray nozzle (30) by means of the first pump (15). This flow of the first liquid (11) is measured by means of the flow meter (2). The measured value is transmitted to the control unit (1). At the same time, the pressure in the supply line to the spray nozzle (30) is measured by means of the pressure sensor (3). This measured value is also transmitted to the control unit (1). The control unit (1) adjusts the flow of the first liquid (11) and the second liquid (21) in the direction of the spray nozzle (30) by means of the first pump (15) and by means of the second pump (25) so that the exiting mixture (50) has a constant mixing ratio of first and second liquids, and so that the pressure in the supply line in front of the spray nozzle is within a predetermined range.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16178764.3 | Jul 2016 | EP | regional |
| 16178766.8 | Jul 2016 | EP | regional |
This application is a continuation application of International Application No. PCT/EP2017/066611, filed internationally on Jul. 4, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 62/360,548, filed Jul. 11, 2016 and 62/360,555, filed on Jul. 11, 2016, and European Application Nos. 16178766.8, filed Jul. 11, 2016 and 16178764.3, filed Jul. 11, 2016.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62360548 | Jul 2016 | US | |
| 62360555 | Jul 2016 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/EP2017/066611 | Jul 2017 | US |
| Child | 16107355 | US |
