Abstract: A hand-held spreader is provided having a base with a mechanism for spreading particulate material response to turning a hand crank. The base is universally attachable to hoppers of different types which provide particulate material to the base for spreading. Different types of hoppers when attached to the base can adapt the spreader to spread different particulate material, such as of seed or salt. Teeth may be provided along upper edge of the hopper for use in scooping up particulate material into the hopper. Another type of hopper which can be attached to the base has a closed top end to provide a sealed container of particulate material, and has a sealing member releasable from the hopper to allow flow of particulate material from the hopper to the attached base.

Abstract: A chest-mounted spreader system includes a hopper for receiving particulate material and a base assembly mounted to the hopper. The base assembly has a base unit having a base plate and rotatable shaft. An electric motor is coupled to the shaft to drive rotation of the shaft. An impeller is mounted on the shaft proximate the base plate. A shroud has a partial sidewall affixed to the base plate thereby defining an impeller cavity. The impeller cavity includes a discharge opening opposite the partial sidewall and the impeller is received within the impeller cavity. A shroud opening is in fluid communication with the hopper so that particulate matter passes from the hopper to the impeller. The electric motor is powered to rotate the shaft and the impeller to disperse the particulate matter through the discharge opening.

Abstract: A sprayer head may be removably mounted onto a concentrate tank of a hose end sprayer. The sprayer head may include a valve assembly having a valve body having a first axis of rotation selectively movable between a closed orientation, a wet mode orientation, and a dry mode orientation. A metering plate may include a first annular series of spaced-apart flow-metering holes with each successive respective flow-metering hole has an increasing hole diameter adapted to withdraw a selectively adjustable amount of a concentrate from the concentrate tank when the valve body is in either the wet mode orientation or the dry mode orientation. The metering plate has a second axis of rotation which is non-coaxial with the first axis of rotation.

Abstract: A hose end sprayer includes a concentrate tank and a sprayer head. The sprayer head has an inlet end, an outlet end and a flow tube, along with a suction tube and a valve. When the sprayer head is closed, neither the first nor the second flow orifice communicates with the flow opening and the concentrate opening is closed by the valve body. When the sprayer head is in wet mode, the vent opening communicates with the concentrate opening as concentrate is drawn into the flow tube. When the sprayer head is in dry mode, the concentrate orifice communicates with the concentrate opening to direct a portion of the fluid into the concentrate tank. A metering plate injects a selectively adjustable amount of concentrate into the fluid stream. The sprayer head may further include a concentrate basket to hold a dry product within the concentrate tank.

Abstract: An applicator for introducing a fluid to a plant includes a first arm and a second arm pivotally connected to one another at one end. The other ends are spaced apart to receive the plant therein when the applicator is in a rest position and are driven together upon pivoting of the arms to place the applicator in an application position. A fluid injector is mounted on the first arm and includes an injector body and a diaphragm defining a plurality of channels. The diaphragm includes a pliable dome defining a reservoir to receive the fluid and a plurality of applicator nodes. A respective applicator node is positioned near a terminus of each channel. A driving member engages the pliable dome when the applicator is pivoted to the application position. The pliable dome is then compressed by the driving member to direct the fluid through the plurality of channels.

Abstract: A flow control assembly includes a manifold coupled to a positive displacement pump. A fluid input unit is coupled to the fluid inlet and includes a diluent input to receive a diluent and a concentrate input to receive a selectively adjustable flow of a liquid concentrate. A mixing chamber combines the diluent and the liquid concentrate to form a mixed solution to be delivered to the pump. A bypass unit has a bypass conduit to receive a high pressure mixed fluid from the pump. A bypass valve is positionable within the manifold between a closed position and an open position. The bypass valve is closed when the high pressure mixed fluid is below a threshold pressure and open when the high pressure mixed fluid is above the threshold pressure. A portion of the high pressure mixed fluid is reintroduced to the mixing chamber via the bypass inlet.

Abstract: A hose end spray head apparatus includes a spread head body and a hose coupling. The spray head body includes a mixing body and a spray outlet arm formed as a unitary construction. The spray outlet arm extends outwardly from the mixing body and includes a spray bore to discharge a mixed fluid. The spray bore communicates with atmosphere via a first radial sidewall bore and a first offset top surface bore. An axial bottom surface bore extends from the bottom surface to the spray bore and is draws product from a container so as to inject the product into the spray bore. A second radial sidewall bore is configured to communicate an open interior of the container with atmosphere. The hose coupling is secured to the mixing body and mounts to a fluid supply to form the mixed fluid which is discharged through the spray bore.

Abstract: An internal pump backpack sprayer system includes a first tank, a second tank and a pump unit. The first tank includes a tank housing for holding a fluid. The second tank is received within the first tank and receives a pressurized fluid. The pump unit has a cylinder housing with first and second inlets and first and second outlets, a piston within a cylinder and a pressure discharge assembly. When the piston moves in an up-stroke, fluid is drawn from the first tank through the first inlet while all or some pressurized fluid is discharged through the pressure discharge assembly with a remainder being discharged to the second tank through the second outlet. When the piston moves in a down-stroke, fluid is drawn from the first tank through the second inlet while pressurized fluid is discharged to the second tank through the first outlet.

Abstract: A hose end sprayer includes a concentrate tank and a sprayer head. The sprayer head has an inlet end, an outlet end and a flow tube, along with a suction tube and a valve. When the sprayer head is closed, neither the first nor the second flow orifice communicates with the flow opening and the concentrate opening is closed by the valve body. When the sprayer head is in wet mode, the vent opening communicates with the concentrate opening as concentrate is drawn into the flow tube. When the sprayer head is in dry mode, the concentrate orifice communicates with the concentrate opening to direct a portion of the fluid into the concentrate tank. A metering plate injects a selectively adjustable amount of concentrate into the fluid stream. The sprayer head may further include a concentrate basket to hold a dry product within the concentrate tank.

Abstract: A dual chamber backpack sprayer system includes first, second and third tanks, and a pump unit. The first tank includes a first tank housing defining an open internal volume configured to hold a diluent therein. The second tank is dimensioned to be received within the internal volume of the first tank and is configured to hold a pressurized fluid therein. The third tank includes a third tank housing configured to hold a liquid concentrate therein. The pump unit is fluidly coupled to the first tank, the second tank and the third tank. The pump unit is configured to receive the diluent from the first tank and the liquid concentrate from the third tank to produce a mixed fluid. The mixed fluid is delivered to the second tank as the pressurized fluid.

Abstract: A fluid injection system includes a container and fluid injection device. The fluid injection device includes a housing having a flow tube having an inlet end and an outlet end. A shroud is positioned between the inlet end and the outlet end and has a first end and a second end defining a ramped surface therebetween. The shroud redefines at least a portion of the fluid pathway as a constricted fluid pathway. A diverter port is between the inlet end and the shroud and diverts a portion of the inlet fluid into the container. An injection port is between the shroud and the outlet end and receives product from the container. The first end of the shroud includes a step defining a notch in fluid communication with the diverter port. The second end defines a recess in fluid communication with the injection port.

Abstract: A fluid injection system includes a container, fluid injection device and a fertigation basket. The fluid injection device includes a housing having a flow tube having an inlet end and an outlet end. A shroud is positioned between the inlet end and the outlet end and redefines at least a portion of the fluid pathway as a constricted fluid pathway. A diverter port is between the inlet end and the shroud and diverts a portion of the inlet fluid into the container. An injection port is between the shroud and the outlet end and receives an injection tube. The fertigation basket holds dry product which is dissolved into the container to be drawn out of outlet end via the injection tube.

Abstract: An internal pump backpack sprayer system includes a first tank, a second tank and a pump unit. The first tank includes a tank housing for holding a fluid. The second tank is received within the first tank and receives a pressurized fluid. The pump unit has a cylinder housing with first and second inlets and first and second outlets, a piston within a cylinder and a pressure discharge assembly. When the piston moves in an up-stroke, fluid is drawn from the first tank through the first inlet while all or some pressurized fluid is discharged through the pressure discharge assembly with a remainder being discharged to the second tank through the second outlet. When the piston moves in a down-stroke, fluid is drawn from the first tank through the second inlet while pressurized fluid is discharged to the second tank through the first outlet.

Abstract: A dual chamber backpack sprayer system includes first, second and third tanks, and a pump unit. The first tank includes a first tank housing defining an open internal volume configured to hold a diluent therein. The second tank is dimensioned to be received within the internal volume of the first tank and is configured to hold a pressurized fluid therein. The third tank includes a third tank housing configured to hold a liquid concentrate therein. The pump unit is fluidly coupled to the first tank, the second tank and the third tank. The pump unit is configured to receive the diluent from the first tank and the liquid concentrate from the third tank to produce a mixed fluid. The mixed fluid is delivered to the second tank as the pressurized fluid.