Method and device for dispensing a fertilizer, pesticide, fungicide, herbicide, insecticide, chemical, or the like material
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
A01C-007/00
A01C-009/00
A01C-023/00
A01C-023/02
출원번호
UP-0281455
(2005-11-18)
등록번호
US-7568437
(2009-08-24)
발명자
/ 주소
Phillips, Jr., J. Andrew
대리인 / 주소
Dinesh Agarwal, P.C.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
2인용 특허 :
5
초록▼
A method and device for dispensing a predetermined or measured amount of a fertilizer, pesticide, fungicide, herbicide, insecticide, chemical, or the like material includes a housing with a plurality of chambers in communication with each other. A plurality of valves are provided for opening or rest
A method and device for dispensing a predetermined or measured amount of a fertilizer, pesticide, fungicide, herbicide, insecticide, chemical, or the like material includes a housing with a plurality of chambers in communication with each other. A plurality of valves are provided for opening or restricting the flow between the chambers. One of the chambers includes a measuring chamber, and a second of the chambers includes a storage chamber disposed downstream of the measuring chamber. A dispensing chamber is disposed downstream of the storage chamber. A material discharge valve is operably associated with the dispensing chamber for discharging the material from the housing.
대표청구항▼
What I claim is: 1. A device for dispensing a predetermined amount of a material, comprising: a) a housing including a plurality of chambers in communication with each other; b) a plurality of valves for opening or restricting the flow of a material between said chambers; c) a first of said chamber
What I claim is: 1. A device for dispensing a predetermined amount of a material, comprising: a) a housing including a plurality of chambers in communication with each other; b) a plurality of valves for opening or restricting the flow of a material between said chambers; c) a first of said chambers comprising a measuring chamber; d) a second of said chambers comprising a storage chamber disposed downstream of said measuring chamber; e) a dispensing chamber disposed downstream of said storage chamber; f) a discharge valve operably associated with said dispensing chamber for discharging the material from said housing; g) a hopper for feeding the material to said measuring chamber. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein: a) said dispensing chamber includes a recess for holding a predetermined amount of the material to be dispensed repetitively. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein: a) said dispensing chamber holds a predetermined amount of the material to be dispensed repetitively. 4. The device of claim 1, wherein: a) said dispensing chamber holds substantially the same amount of material measured by said first chamber. 5. The device of claim 1, wherein: a) a first of said valves is disposed between said hopper and said measuring chamber; b) a second of said valves is disposed between said measuring and storage chambers; c) a third of said valves is disposed between said storage and dispensing chambers; and d) wherein said first, second and third valves, and said discharge valve operate generally simultaneously for selectively opening or restricting the flow of material from said hopper and said measuring, storage, and dispensing chambers. 6. The device of claim 5, wherein: a) the device includes operable and inoperable positions; and b) a lock for switching the device between said operable and inoperable positions. 7. The device of claim 6, wherein: a) said lock operably engages said first valve for the device to assume said inoperable position. 8. The device of claim 5, wherein: a) said second valve includes a surface inclined at an angle of about 10-85°. 9. The device of claim 8, wherein: a) said surface is inclined at an angle of about 65°. 10. The device of claim 5, wherein: a) said third valve includes first and second surfaces each inclined at an angle of about 10-85°. 11. The device of claim 10, wherein: a) said first surface is inclined at an angle about 40°. 12. The device of claim 10, wherein: a) said second surface is inclined at an angle of about 78°. 13. The device of claim 5, wherein: a) said discharge valve includes a surface inclined at angle of about 10-85°. 14. The device of claim 13, wherein: a) said surface is inclined at an angle of about 75°. 15. The device of claim 5, wherein: a) said storage chamber is generally cone-shaped having an internal surface inclined an angle of about 10-85°. 16. The device of claim 15, wherein: a) said internal surface is inclined at an angle of about 78°. 17. The device of claim 5, wherein: a) said second and third valves and said discharge valve are rigidly connected together. 18. The device of claim 1, wherein: a) said hopper is disposed externally of said housing. 19. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a) an applicator disposed externally of said dispensing chamber. 20. The device of claim 19, wherein: a) said applicator is operably connected to said discharge valve. 21. The device of claim 19, wherein: a) said applicator includes a generally pointed end portion. 22. The device of claim 19, wherein: a) said applicator includes a generally blunt end portion. 23. The device of claim 19, wherein: a) said applicator includes a generally flat end portion. 24. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a) an applicator connected to said discharge valve in a manner that said applicator remains externally of said housing at all times. 25. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a) a collar disposed adjacent said discharge valve. 26. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a) a yoke member disposed externally of said dispensing chamber for facilitating flow of the material. 27. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a) an applicator disposed externally of said dispensing chamber. 28. The device of claim 27, wherein: a) said applicator includes a generally pointed, generally blunt, or generally flat end portion. 29. A device for repetitively dispensing a predetermined amount of a material above or below a soil surface, comprising: a) a housing including a measuring chamber, a storage chamber, and a dispensing chamber in communication with each other; b) a plunger extending through said measuring, storage, and dispensing chambers; c) a measuring valve for opening or restricting the flow of a material between said measuring and storage chambers; d) a dispensing valve for opening or restricting the flow of a material between said storage and dispensing chambers; e) a discharge valve for discharging or restricting the flow of the material out of said dispensing chamber; and f) an applicator for engaging a soil surface during a dispensing operation. 30. The device of claim 29, wherein: a) said storage chamber is disposed downstream of said measuring chamber. 31. The device of claim 29, wherein: a) said measuring, dispensing, and discharge valves are connected to said plunger and operate generally simultaneously. 32. The device of claim 29, further comprising: a) a hopper for feeding the material to said measuring chamber. 33. The device of claim 32, further comprising: a) a feeder valve for opening or restricting the flow of the material between said hopper and said measuring chamber. 34. The device of claim 33, wherein: a) said measuring, dispensing, and discharge valves, and said feeder valve operate generally simultaneously for selectively opening or restricting the flow of the material from said hopper and said measuring, storage, and dispensing chambers. 35. The device of claim 33, wherein: a) the device includes operable and inoperable positions; and b) a lock for switching the device between said operable and inoperable positions. 36. The device of claim 35, wherein: a) said lock operably engages said feeder valve for the device to assume said inoperable position. 37. The device of claim 32, wherein: a) said hopper is disposed externally of said housing. 38. The device of claim 29, wherein: a) said dispensing chamber includes a recess for holding a predetermined amount of the material to be dispensed repetitively. 39. The device of claim 29, wherein: a) said dispensing chamber holds a predetermined amount of the material to be dispensed repetitively. 40. The device of claim 29, wherein: a) said dispensing chamber holds substantially the same amount of material measured by said measuring chamber. 41. The device of claim 29, wherein: a) said measuring valve includes a surface inclined at an angle of about 10-85°. 42. The device of claim 41, wherein: a) said surface is inclined at an angle of about 65°. 43. The device of claim 29, wherein: a) said dispensing valve includes first and second surfaces each inclined at an angle of about 10-85°. 44. The device of claim 43, wherein: a) said first surface is inclined at an angle about 40°. 45. The device of claim 43, wherein: a) said second surface is inclined at an angle of about 78°. 46. The device of claim 29, wherein: a) said discharge valve includes a surface inclined at angle of about 10-85°. 47. The device of claim 46, wherein: a) said surface is inclined at an angle of about 75°. 48. The device of claim 29, wherein: a) said storage chamber is generally cone-shaped having an internal surface inclined an angle of about 10-85°. 49. The device of claim 48, wherein: a) said internal surface is inclined at an angle of about 78°. 50. The device of claim 29, wherein: a) said applicator is disposed externally of said dispensing chamber. 51. The device of claim 50, wherein: a) said applicator is operably connected to said discharge valve. 52. The device of claim 50, wherein: a) said applicator is connected to said discharge valve in a manner that said applicator remains externally of said housing at all times. 53. The device of claim 29, wherein: a) said applicator includes a generally pointed end portion. 54. The device of claim 29, wherein: a) said applicator includes a generally blunt end portion. 55. The device of claim 29, wherein: a) said applicator includes a generally flat end portion. 56. The device of claim 29, further comprising: a) a collar disposed adjacent said discharge valve. 57. The device of claim 29, further comprising: a) a yoke number disposed externally of said dispensing chamber for facilitating flow of the material. 58. A device for repetitively dispensing a predetermined amount of a material above or below a soil surface by automatically measuring and charging the device during each cycle of operation, the device comprising: a) a housing including a measuring chamber, a storage chamber, and a dispensing chamber in communication with each other; b) said storage chamber being disposed between said measuring and dispensing chambers; c) a hopper disposed externally of said housing for feeding a material to said measuring chamber; d) a plunger extending through said measuring, storage, and dispensing chambers and movable between first and second positions; e) a measuring valve operably associated with said plunger for opening or restricting the flow of the material between said measuring and storage chambers; f) a dispensing valve operably associated with said plunger for opening or restricting the flow of the material between said storage and dispensing chambers; g) a discharge valve operably associated with said plunger for discharging or restricting the flow of the material out of said dispensing chamber; h) said measuring, dispensing, and discharge valves being operable generally simultaneously when said plunger is moved between said first and second positions; and i) an applicator for engaging a soil surface during a dispensing operation. 59. The device of claim 58, wherein: a) said measuring valve opens the flow of the material between said measuring and storage chambers when said plunger assumes said first position. 60. The device of claim 59, wherein: a) said dispensing valve restricts the flow of the material between said storage and dispensing chambers when said plunger assumes said first position. 61. The device of claim 60, wherein: a) said discharge valve discharges the material out of said dispensing chamber when said plunger assumes said first position. 62. The device of claim 58, wherein: a) said measuring valve restricts the flow of the material between said measuring and storage chambers when said plunger assumes said second position. 63. The device of claim 62, wherein: a) said dispensing valve opens the flow of the material between said storage and dispensing chambers when said plunger assumes said second position. 64. The device of claim 63, wherein: a) said discharge valve restricts the flow of the material out of said dispensing chamber when said plunger assumes said second position. 65. The device of claim 58, wherein: a) said plunger in said second position thereof operates said feeder valve thereby opening the flow of the material from said hopper to said measuring chamber. 66. The device of claim 58, wherein: a) said plunger is free-floating in said housing. 67. The device of claim 58, wherein: a) said dispensing chamber includes a recess to hold only a single charge of the material to be dispensed in one cycle of operation. 68. The device of claim 67, wherein: a) the single charge comprises substantially the amount of material measured by said measuring chamber. 69. The device of claim 58, wherein: a) said applicator is operably connected to said discharge valve. 70. The device of claim 58, wherein: a) said applicator is connected to said discharge valve in a manner that said applicator remains externally of said housing at all times. 71. The device of claim 58, further comprising: a) a collar disposed adjacent said discharge valve; b) said applicator penetrates a soil surface to form a hole in the soil when the device is pushed therein; and c) said collar enlarges the hole in the soil as said applicator is advanced into the soil. 72. The device of claim 58, further comprising: a) a yoke member disposed about said dispensing chamber and upstream of said applicator; b) said applicator penetrates a soil surface to form a hole with an opening in the soil when the device is pushed therein; and c) said yoke member compacts the opening as said applicator is advanced into the soil. 73. The device of claim 72, wherein: a) said yoke member is generally funnel-shaped; and b) said yoke member compacts the opening into a generally funnel-shaped opening for facilitating the flow of the material into the hole. 74. The device of claim 72, wherein: a) the position of said yoke member is adjustable relative to said applicator. 75. A device for repetitively dispensing a predetermined amount of a material above or below a soil surface, comprising: a) a housing including a measuring chamber and a dispensing chamber in communication with each other; b) a hopper for feeding a material to said measuring chamber; c) a plunger extending through said measuring and dispensing chambers and movable between first and second positions; d) a feeder valve for opening or restricting the flow of the material between said hopper and said measuring chamber; e) a measuring valve operably associated with said plunger for opening or restricting the flow of the material between said measuring and dispensing chambers; f) a discharge valve operably associated with said plunger for discharging or restricting the flow of the material out of said dispensing chamber; and g) an applicator for engaging a soil surface during a dispensing operation. 76. The device of claim 75, wherein: a) said plunger is free-floating in said housing. 77. The device of claim 76, wherein: a) said housing includes a material feeding end and a material discharge end; b) said plunger in said first position thereof moves toward said discharge end of said housing; and c) said plunger in said second position thereof moves toward said feeding end of said housing. 78. The device of claim 77, wherein: a) said feeder valve opens the flow of the material between said hopper and said measuring chamber when said plunger assumes said second position; and b) said measuring valve and said discharge valve restrict the flow of the material out of said measuring and dispensing chambers, respectively, when said plunger assumes said second position. 79. The device of claim 78, wherein: a) said feeder valve restricts the flow of the material between said hopper and said measuring chamber when said plunger assumes said first position; and b) said measuring valve and said discharge valve open the flow of the material out of said measuring and dispensing chambers, respectively, when said plunger assumes said first position. 80. The device of claim 75, wherein: a) said measuring and discharge valves operate generally simultaneously. 81. The device of claim 75, wherein: a) said hopper is disposed externally of said housing. 82. A device for repetitively dispensing a predetermined amount of material above or below a soil surface, comprising: a) a dispenser for measuring and dispensing a material; b) a container for carrying the material; c) a conduit for supplying the material from said container to said dispenser; d) said conduit including first and second ends operably connected to said container and said dispenser, respectively; e) the inside diameter of said second end being larger than the diameter of said first end; and f) said dispenser, comprising: i) a housing including a plurality of chambers in communication with each other; ii) a plurality of valves for opening or restricting the flow of the material between said chambers; iii) a first of said chambers comprising a measuring chamber; iv) a second of said chambers comprising a storage chamber disposed downstream of said first chamber; v) a dispensing chamber disposed downstream of said storage chamber; and vi) a discharge valve operably associated with said dispensing chamber for discharging the material from said housing. 83. The device of claim 82, wherein: a) the inside diameter of said conduit increases gradually from said first end to said second end thereof. 84. The device of claim 82, wherein: a) the container comprises a back-supported container. 85. A device for repetitively dispensing a predetermined amount of a material above or below a soil surface, comprising: a) a dispenser for measuring and dispensing a material; b) a container for carrying the material; c) a conduit for supplying the material from said container to said dispenser; d) said conduit including first and second ends operably connected to said container and said dispenser, respectively; e) the inside diameter of said second end being larger than the diameter of said first end; and f) said dispenser, comprising: i) a housing including a measuring chamber, a storage chamber, and a dispensing chamber in communication with each other; ii) a plunger extending through said measuring, storage, and dispensing chambers; iii) a measuring valve for opening or restricting the flow of the material between said measuring and storage chambers; iv) a dispensing valve for opening or restricting the flow of the material between said storage and dispensing chambers; v) a discharge valve for discharging or restricting the flow of the material out of said dispensing chamber; and vi) an applicator for engaging a soil surface during a dispensing operation. 86. The device of claim 85, wherein: a) the inside diameter of said conduit increases gradually from said first end to said second end thereof. 87. The device of claim 85, wherein: a) the container comprises a back-supported container. 88. A method of repetitively dispensing a predetermined amount of a material above or below a soil surface by automatically measuring and charging a device during each cycle of operation, comprising the steps of: a) providing a device including: i) measuring, storage, and dispensing chambers in communication with each other; ii) a plunger extending through the measuring, storage, and dispensing chambers and movable between first and second positions; iii) an applicator operably connected to the plunger for engaging a soil surface during a dispensing operation; and iv) a hopper for feeding a material to the measuring chamber; b) feeding a material to the measuring chamber by moving the plunger to the second position; c) measuring the material and holding in the measuring chamber; d) moving the measured material into the storage chamber by moving the plunger to the first position; e) moving the measured material from the storage chamber to the dispensing chamber by moving the plunger to the second position; and f) dispensing the material from the device by moving the plunger to the first position. 89. The method of claim 88, comprising: recharging the device for a next dispensing cycle by: i) repeating steps b) and c) generally simultaneously with step e); and ii) repeating step d) generally simultaneously with step f). 90. The method of claim 89, wherein: steps b)-c) and d) are repeated automatically generally simultaneously with steps e) and f), respectively, as the plunger moves between the first and second positions. 91. The method of claim 88, wherein: the plunger is moved from the first position to the second position by engaging the applicator with a surface and moving the device toward the surface; and the plunger is moved from the second position to the first position by withdrawing the device from the surface as the plunger moves by gravity. 92. The method of claim 91, wherein: the plunger moves between the first and second positions by free floating in the device. 93. A method of repetitively dispensing a predetermined amount of a material above or below a soil surface by automatically measuring and charging a device during each cycle of operation, comprising the steps of: a) providing a device including: i) measuring and dispensing chambers in communication with each other; ii) a free-floating plunger extending through the measuring and dispensing chambers and movable between first and second positions; iii) an applicator operably connected to the plunger for engaging a surface during a dispensing operation; and iv) a hopper for feeding a material to the measuring chamber; b) feeding a material to the measuring chamber by moving the plunger to the second position; c) measuring the material and holding in the measuring chamber; d) moving the measured material from the measuring chamber to the dispensing chamber and dispensing therefrom by moving the plunger to the first position. 94. The method of claim 93, comprising: recharging the device for a next dispensing cycle by: i) repeating steps b) and c) generally simultaneously with step d). 95. The method of claim 94, wherein: steps b) and c) are repeated automatically generally simultaneously with step d) as the plunger moves between the first and second positions. 96. The method of claim 93, wherein: the plunger is moved from the first position to the second position by engaging the applicator with a surface and moving the device toward the surface; and the plunger is moved from the second position to the first position by withdrawing the device from the surface as the plunger moves by gravity. 97. A device for dispensing a predetermined amount of a material, comprising: a) a housing including a plurality of chambers in communication with each other; b) a plurality of valves for opening or restricting the flow of a material between said chambers; c) a first of said chambers comprising a measuring chamber; d) a second of said chambers comprising a storage chamber disposed downstream of said measuring chamber; e) a dispensing chamber disposed downstream of said storage chamber for holding substantially the same amount of material measured by said first chamber; and f) a discharge valve operably associated with said dispensing chamber for discharging the material from said housing.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (5)
Guzan Donald A. (2 Beechwood Ct. West Buffalo Grove IL 60089), Dry granular fertilizer root feeder.
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