Abstract: A backpack sprayer system includes a mounting bracket having a battery receiving fixture. A first tank is mounted to the mounting bracket and holds a diluent. A second tank is mounted to the mounting bracket and holds a liquid concentrate. The second tank is selectively, individually removable from the mounting bracket. A mixing manifold is mounted to the mounting bracket and has a first inlet fitting to receive a fixed amount of diluent and a second inlet to receive an adjustable amount of liquid concentrate. The diluent and concentrate are combined to form a mixed solution with the mixing manifold including a mixed solution outlet. A positive displacement pump is mounted to the mounting bracket and has a suction port coupled to the mixed solution outlet and a pressure port coupled with a spray device. A control unit is mounted on the mounting bracket and receives power from the battery.

Abstract: A hand-held spreader is provided having a housing with a compartment for particulate material, a chamber below the compartment having a bottom wall with a circular aperture, an impeller mounted for rotation in the chamber along such bottom wall responsive to a hand crank, a discharge opening, and a path along which the particulate material passes into the chamber for discharge via the discharge opening. The impeller has an outer circular periphery proximal to and extending over an outer edge of the aperture to form a gap between the impeller and the bottom wall of the chamber that seals the gap from the particulate material larger than the gap from entering under the impeller and risking obstruction of impeller rotation. Any particulate material that enters the gap passes downward through the aperture to enable self-cleaning of particulate material that would otherwise collect under the impeller in the chamber.

Abstract: A spreader having a hopper for particulate material with discharge openings over two separate different areas along the hopper bottom, a pair of wheels upon separate drive shafts mounted for rotation to a lower frame which supports the hopper, and a rear frame extending from the hopper to provide a pair of handles. Two rotatable shafts with agitator elements are mounted over each of the different hopper areas. Each of the agitator shafts are coupled for rotation by different ones of the drive shafts. Two gates with openings are disposed below the hopper each along different ones of the areas dividing the hopper bottom. Each gate is movable to close and open the openings of the hopper in the area associated with the gate. A pair of controllers are provided each coupled to a different one of the two gates to independently move the gates between open and close positions.

Abstract: A spreader includes a frame having wheels mounted on an axle. A gear assembly on the axle is coupled with a shaft. A hopper is mounted on the frame and holds particulate that empties through an opening within the bottom wall. An impeller is mounted on the shaft and receives the particulate emptied from the hopper. A controlled-release assembly is mounted about the shaft and includes a drive housing secured to the hopper. The drive housing has a funnel opening to dispense the particulate therethrough. A transfer wheel within the drive housing is rotatably coupled to the shaft. When the shaft is rotating, the transfer wheel rotates whereby the particulate is delivered to the funnel. When the shaft is stationary, the transfer wheel is stationary whereby particulate is not delivered to the funnel.

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: An internal pump backpack sprayer system includes first and second tanks and a double action pump unit. The first tank defines an open volume to hold a fluid. The second tank is received within the first tank and receives a pressurized fluid therein. The double action pump includes a cylinder and piston assembly having a cylinder housing with first and second inlets and first and second outlets. A piston is located and moveable within a cylinder. When the piston moves in an up-stroke, a first portion of the fluid is drawn from the first tank through the first inlet while the pressurized fluid is discharged to the second tank through the second outlet. When the piston moves in a down-stroke, a second portion of the fluid is drawn from the first tank through the second inlet while the pressurized fluid is discharged to the second tank through the first outlet.

Abstract: A backpack sprayer system includes a mounting bracket having a battery receiving fixture to receive a battery. A first tank is mounted to the mounting bracket and holds a diluent. A second tank is mounted to the mounting bracket and holds a liquid concentrate. A mixing manifold is mounted to the mounting bracket and has a first inlet fitting to receive a fixed amount of diluent and a second inlet to receive an adjustable amount of liquid concentrate. The fixed amount of diluent and adjustable amount of concentrate are combined to form a mixed solution and the mixing manifold includes a mixed solution outlet. A positive displacement pump is mounted to the mounting bracket and a suction port coupled to the mixed solution outlet and a pressure port fluidly coupled with a spray device. A control unit is mounted on the mounting bracket and receives power from the battery.

Abstract: A modular frame for a backpack sprayer system includes a frame plate having a front surface, a back surface and first and second side edges. A first receiving channel is located along the first side edge and a second receiving channel is located along the second side edge. A support member has a first arm which is received within the first receiving channel and a second arm which is received within the second receiving channel. A stand portion extends at an angle relative to the first and second arms. A mounting member is coupled to the front surface of the frame plate and mounts a tank and a pump unit thereon. The mounting member includes opposing left and right sides, a planar top face and a front face including a concave portion to receive at least a portion of one or both of the tank and the pump unit.

Abstract: A fluid injection device includes a housing and a valve stem. The housing includes an inlet arm having an inlet orifice for receiving a feeder fluid. An outlet arm has an outlet orifice to discharge a mixed fluid. A venturi tube is between the inlet and outlet arms. The inlet arm, veturi tube and outlet arm define a nonlinear fluid pathway where the venturi tube redefines a portion of the nonlinear fluid pathway as a constricted fluid pathway. A diverter port is used to divert a portion of the feeder fluid from the inlet arm into the container and an injection port is used to receive product from the container. A valve arm is collinearly aligned with the venturi tube and the valve stem is positioned within the valve arm and adjusts the volume of the constricted fluid pathway.

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 dosing cap for dispensing a measured dose of material includes a housing, a sealing member and a biasing member. The housing has an inlet end residing within a container and receives the material. An outlet end dispenses the material. A dosage region is interposed between the inlet end and outlet end. The sealing member is received within the housing. The sealing member includes a first seal proximate the inlet end to selectively open or close the inlet end and a second seal proximate the outlet end to selectively open or close the outlet end. When the biasing member is unbiased, the inlet end is open, the outlet orifice is closed and the dosage region is charged with material. When the biasing member is compressed, the sealing member is biased so that the inlet end is closed and the outlet orifice is open whereby the material is dispensed.

Abstract: A sprayer system includes a diluent tank, a mounting bracket mounted to the diluent tank and a concentrate tank mounted to the mounting bracket and diluent tank. A mixing manifold is mounted to the mounting bracket and has a first inlet fitting to receive a fixed amount of diluent and a second inlet to receive a liquid concentrate. The diluent and concentrate are then combined to form a mixed solution. The mixing manifold includes an outlet. A positive displacement pump is mounted to the mounting bracket and has a suction port fluidly coupled to the mixed solution outlet. A pressure port may fluidly couple with a spray device. The second tank may be separable from the first tank and mounting bracket without requiring removal of the mixing manifold or positive displacement pump.

Abstract: A spreader includes a frame having wheels mounted on an axle. A gear assembly on the axle is coupled with a shaft. A hopper is mounted on the frame and holds particulate that empties through an opening within the bottom wall. An impeller is mounted on the shaft and receives the particulate emptied from the hopper. A controlled-release assembly is mounted about the shaft and includes a drive housing secured to the hopper. The drive housing has a funnel opening to dispense the particulate therethrough. A transfer wheel within the drive housing is rotatably coupled to the shaft. When the shaft is rotating, the transfer wheel rotates whereby the particulate is delivered to the funnel. When the shaft is stationary, the transfer wheel is stationary whereby particulate is not delivered to the funnel.

Abstract: An external by-pass circuit for a positive displacement pump includes a flow diverter valve coupled to the pressure port of the pump. The flow diverter has an end coupled with a high flow output and another end coupled with a low flow output. The low flow end includes a by-pass arm coupled to and input flow fitting. The flow diverter valve further includes a ball valve to direct fluid to either the high flow or low flow output. The input flow fitting is coupled to the suction port of the pump at the one end and couples with a fluid source at the other end. The input flow fitting includes a flow control arm which includes a needle valve to selectively control flow within the flow control arm. The flow control arm also includes a by-pass fitting fluidly coupled with the by-pass arm of the flow diverter valve.