Abstract: Fluid delivery equipment comprises calibration circuitry which, in a calibration mode of operation, detects a time at which fluid is first caused to flow in the equipment, and provides an output signal a predetermined time thereafter. The output signal may be audible. The equipment is of the hand-held type, including a handset (2), incorporating a manually operable trigger (3), and a distribution head (8) connected to the handset and incorporating a manually operable variable flow restrictor.The equipment may include means for setting a desired width of land which is to be sprayed, in which case, during a calibration mode, this desired width is used as an indicator of the desired flow rate and the predetermined time is adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: Liquid delivery apparatus includes a container 138 for the liquid, the container 138 having a liquid outlet 150 for dispensing the liquid and a vent hole 53 for admitting air to the container 138 to replace dispensed liquid. The vent hole 53 is closed by a closure element 56 which is removable to expose the vent hole 53. When fitting the container 138 to a delivery device 2, the closure element 56 engages the delivery device 2 so as to remove the closure element 36 automatically to cause the vent hole 53 to be exposed.

Abstract: Hand-held equipment, for example a herbicide applicator, comprises a handle member 24 and an operative portion 4 extending away from the handle member 24, the equipment further comprising a counterbalancing weight 22 which is releasably and/or displaceably attached to the handle member in such a position as to be capable of counterbalancing the weight of the operative portion. The equipment preferably is an applicator for agrochemicals.

Abstract: Containers of the type having a rigid outer casing 4 accommodating an inner liner 2 are disposed of by removing the outer casing 4, expelling air remaining in the liner 2, and placing the liner 2 in a waste receptacle 10. The casing 4 is disposed of separately. When full, the waste receptacle 10 is disposed of in its entirety by means appropriate to the nature of the former contents of the containers. For example, disposal of the receptacle 10 may be undertaken by specialist contractors. This relieves the users of the containers (which may formerly contain herbicide) from the responsibility of disposing of them safely.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electronic control means for a pump, the control means comprising: input means, for accepting input signals, the input signals being indicative of the values of variable quantities which determine a desired flow rate of a fluid which, in use, is to be supplied by a pump; an electronic memory, comprising a plurality of memory locations, each memory location corresponding to a particular combination of values of the variable quantities and containing a stored control signal corresponding to the desired fluid flow rate determined by those values; and output means, for supplying the control signal, in use, to the pump. More specifically, there is disclosed equipment suitable for distributing a fluid over an area of land, the equipment comprising distribution means, to which fluid is supplied by a pump driven by an electric motor, the delivery rate of the fluid from the pump being a function of the operating speed of the pump, the equipment further comprising such control means.

Abstract: A box has a flnaged outlet fitting 48 engaged in an aperture defined by recesses 26, 42 in inner and outer panels 16, 30. The outer panel 30 can be moved from a buckled configuration (FIG. 3) to a flat configuration (FIG. 4) to cause the recess 42 to engage the fitting 48. Locking tabs 38 are insertable into slots defined between side wall panels of the box, in dorder to prevent movement of the outer panel 30 from the flat to the buckled configuration.

Abstract: Two components, such as a support tube (4) and handset (2) of a herbicide delivery lance, are interconnected in a manner which provides an electrical connection between leads (56, 38) in the tube (4) and the handset (2) respectively. Fluid communication is also provided between a flexible tube (44) in the tube (4) and a passage (26) of the handset (2). The leads (56) on the tube (4) are connected to two terminal plates (58) situated on the outer surface of the tube (4). These terminal plates (58) move into position opposite bosses (32) on a sleeve (28) provided on the handset when the tube (4) is pushed into the sleeve (28). Screws (40), engaging bushes (36) accommodated in the bosses (32), are then screwed into contact with the terminal plates (58) to secure the tube (4) in position. The screws (40) also complete the electrical circuit between the leads ( 56, 38). One of the components includes a valve (16, FIG. 5) which includes an operating member (110).

Abstract: Equipment for delivering a fluid, such as herbicide, comprises a carrier (2) in the form of a handset and a support tube (4) which is connected to the carrier (3) and carries a distribution head. A supply duct (6) conveys herbicide from the carrier to the distribution head, and electrical leads (8) provide a connection between a battery, mounted in the carrier, and a motor in the distribution head. The support tube (4) has a connector (10) which is secured to the carrier by a screwthreaded sleeve. A spigot (18) of the connector 10 enters a bore in a valve to provide sealed connection between the valve and the supply duct (6). First contacts (28) on the connector (10) engage second contacts (42) in the carrier to provide electrical connections. The support tube (4) can thus be coupled to the carrier (2) by a simple plug in operation.

Abstract: A container, for example for herbicide, is manufactured by securing a flexible wall (8) to a rigid housing part (2), and subsequently deforming the flexible wall (8), in a plastic manner, into a predetermined configuration. A further housing part, possibly complementary to the housing part (2), may then be applied to the housing part (2) in order to provide a closed chamber which is divided by the flexible wall (8) into two compartments. The flexible wall (8) is preferably deformed into a configuration which enables it to lie, unstressed, against the internal surface of the housing part (2), so that herbicide contained in the cavity between the housing part (2) and the flexible wall (8) can flow substantially completely from the container under gravity.

Abstract: Equipment for delivering fluids such as herbicides comprises a handset which supports delivery means such as a spraying head on a support tube 4. The handset receives a container 134 of fluid which is to be distributed, this container being received within a cavity 132 in the handset. The container is retained within the cavity 132 by latching elements 166 provided on a pivotable lever 162. As the container 134 is inserted into the cavity 132, the container engages a cam 168 which causes the lever 162 to pivot into the engaged position. An outlet fitting 150 provided on the container is automatically engaged with an inlet fitting communicating with a supply duct 10 for supplying fluid from the container to the spraying head.

Abstract: A liquid such as a herbicide is delivered from spray nozzles (4) on a boom (2). The herbicide is supplied from a herbicide container (8) by a pump (18), and is diluted with water supplied from a tank (10) by a pump (12). The speed of the herbicide pump (18) is controlled by control means (22) and is responsive to the travel speed of the apparatus. The volumetric output of the pump (18) is calibrated by supplying the herbicide to a calibration vessel (32) during a test cycle in which the apparatus travels over a predetermined distance. Correction factors can then be input to the control means (22) in order to bring the volumetric output of the pump (18) into line with desired flow rates.

Abstract: Equipment for spraying a fluid such as a herbicide comprises a support tube on which is mounted a head comprising a body and a rotatable disc. Electrical supply loads and a supply hose for fluid pass to the head through the support tube. The head and the body define between them a narrow annular gap. Fluid is supplied to the disc at a position radially inwards of the gap and flows through the gap to be discharged as fine droplets from the periphery of the disc. The width of the gap is such that the fluid passing through it is wiped circumferentially so that it is distributed around the disc. This promotes an even spray of fluid from all parts of the periphery of the disc. Special shapes for the disc are proposed in order to promote the formation of small droplets of uniform size.

Abstract: Two components, such as a support tube and handset of a herbicide delivery lance, are interconnected in a manner which provides an electrical connection between leads in the tube and the handset respectively. Fluid communication is also provided between a flexible tube in the tube and a passage of the handset. The leads on the tube are connected to two terminal plates situated on the outer surface of the tube. These terminal plates move into positions opposite bosses on a sleeve provided on the handset when the tube is pushed into the sleeve. Screws, engaging bushes accommodated in the bosses, are then screwed into contact with the terminal plates to secure the tube in position. The screws also complete the electrical circuit between the leads. One of the components includes a valve which includes an operating member. Displacement of the operating member against the action of a spring not only opens the valve, but also actuates an electrical switch.