Abstract: There is proposed an apparatus for introducing a chemical into a plant tissue of a target plant, including a body being graspable by a user, and an applicator portion attachable to or forming a part of the body, the applicator portion including a reservoir chamber for holding the chemical, and one or more elongate porous piercing elements, in fluid communication with the reservoir chamber, being configured to pierce the plant tissue, wherein the chemical within the reservoir chamber is drawn or moves into the one or more elongate porous piercing elements, such that as the one or more elongate porous piercing elements penetrate into or through the plant tissue the chemical is applied to an edge of a resultant incision therein.

Abstract: A liquid delivery device for killing weeds. The liquid delivery device includes a main tube, a handle, and a pump housing that includes a pump chamber. A reservoir is disposed in the main tube, and a plunger is connected to the reservoir and positioned in the pump chamber. The plunger is operative to push a liquid contained in the pump chamber through a check valve and dispensing orifices when a user moves the reservoir with respect to the main tube and pump housing. The device also includes a spike extending from the pump housing and an annular stand-off surrounding the spike. The spike is adapted to disrupt the soil and damage the root structure of a target weed.

Abstract: A device for treating soil includes a soil contact head having at least one discharge orifice therein, a handle attached to the soil contact head, a discharge valve in fluid communication with the at least one discharge orifice, a soil contact indicator, and a source of pressurized soil treatment fluid flowably connected to the discharge valve. The discharge valve discharges the pressurized soil treatment fluid through the at least one discharge orifice when the soil contact indicator indicates contact between the soil contact head and the soil.

Abstract: Apparatus for selectively applying a liquid plant chemical such as a herbicide to a plant includes a hollow tubular reservoir, an integrated funnel handle at the upper end of the reservoir, and an applicator tip at the lower end of the reservoir. The applicator tip includes a valve and a wick that allows the chemical to be dispensed in a controlled manner onto a specific plant, avoiding chemical drift. A protective cap fits over the applicator tip during storage, while retainer tabs keep the protective cap from squeezing the wick. The retainer tabs may be sharp enough to prick the plant to place the chemical internally.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a beneficial agent is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a water collection chamber. A water-transporting membrane is provided to communicate with the water collection chamber. An extraction chamber receives water through the water-transporting membrane, expanding the extraction chamber. A dispensing chamber, containing a beneficial agent, is configured to contract upon expanding the extraction chamber. This causes the dispensing chamber to expel the beneficial agent through a subterranean delivery channel, such as a rigid hollow spike. In certain embodiments, a rate adjustment mechanism may control the rate that water is received through the water-transporting membrane, thereby controlling the rate the beneficial agent is expelled. The water-transporting membrane has features that repel osmagent from passing through to the water collection chamber.

Abstract: A method for delivering a beneficial agent is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a water collection chamber. A water-transporting membrane is provided to communicate with the water collection chamber. An extraction chamber receives water through the water-transporting membrane, expanding the extraction chamber. A dispensing chamber, containing a beneficial agent, is configured to contract upon expanding the extraction chamber. This causes the dispensing chamber to expel the beneficial agent through a subterranean delivery channel, such as a rigid hollow spike. In certain embodiments, a rate adjustment mechanism may control the rate that water is received through the water-transporting membrane, thereby controlling the rate the beneficial agent is expelled. The water-transporting membrane has features that repel osmagent from passing through to the water collection chamber. The method features steady rate performance without refreshing the water chamber and low temperature sensitivity.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a beneficial agent is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a water collection chamber. A water-transporting membrane is provided to communicate with the water collection chamber. An extraction chamber receives water through the water-transporting membrane, expanding the extraction chamber. A dispensing chamber, containing a beneficial agent, is configured to contract upon expanding the extraction chamber. This causes the dispensing chamber to expel the beneficial agent through a subterranean delivery channel, such as a rigid hollow spike. In certain embodiments, a rate adjustment mechanism may control the rate that water is received through the water-transporting membrane, thereby controlling the rate the beneficial agent is expelled. The water-transporting membrane has features that repel osmagent from passing through to the water collection chamber.

Abstract: A device for treating soil, in an exemplary embodiment, includes a soil contact head, with the soil contact head having at least one discharge orifice therein, a handle attached to the soil contact head, a discharge valve in fluid communication with said at least one discharge orifice, a soil contact indicator, and a source of pressurized soil treatment fluid flowably connected to the discharge valve. The discharge valve discharges pressurized soil treatment material through the discharge orifices when the soil contact indicator indicates contact between the soil contact head and the soil.

Abstract: A method and device for filling a container with a fertilizer, pesticide, fungicide, herbicide, insecticide, chemical, or the like material by gravity, includes a housing with an inlet and an outlet, a valve for opening or restricting a flow between the inlet and outlet and having open and closed positions, and an actuator disposed downstream of the inlet for actuating the valve between the open and closed positions, wherein the actuator is operated by a container to be filled with a material.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a beneficial agent to a subterranean location is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a water collection chamber having a substantially open end. A water-transporting membrane is provided to communicate with the water collection chamber. An extraction chamber receives water through the water-transporting membrane, expanding the extraction chamber. A dispensing chamber, containing a beneficial agent such as fertilizer, is configured to contract upon expanding the extraction chamber. This causes the dispensing chamber to expel the beneficial agent through a subterranean delivery channel, such as a rigid hollow spike. In certain embodiments, a rate adjustment mechanism may control the rate that water is received through the water-transporting membrane, thereby controlling the rate the beneficial agent is expelled from the subterranean delivery channel.

Abstract: A hole forming tool is disclosed utilizing compressed gas discharged into a shaped shroud resulting in minimal disturbance to the surrounding ground.