Patents Assigned to Tecnoma
  • Patent number: 4561591
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mobile spraying apparatus, particularly for the treatment of plants. This apparatus comprises a spray-distributor which is carried above the ground by a tractor vehicle or trailer vehicle in an approximately horizontal position. The distributor is suspended below a support carried by the vehicle in the manner of a pendulum, by means of a ball-and-socket bearing, so as to remain approximately horizontal, and it is guided by rollers rolling on appropriate surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Assignee: Tecnoma
    Inventor: Patrick J. M. Ballu
  • Patent number: 4529129
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mobile apparatus for spraying a plant treatment liquid. This apparatus comprises a support member carried by a tractor or trailer vehicle. A rectangular framework is suspended from the support member through an articulated link rod, a ball joint and an articulated component, for instance an articulated parallelogram. Two rigid components of variable length, for instance two jacks, are interposed, the first one between the rectangular framework and the articulated link rod, and the second one between the support member and the articulated component. The length of each rigid component is adjusted in operation so that the lateral sides of the rectangular framework are always parallel to and equidistant from the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Assignee: Tecnoma
    Inventor: Patrick J. Ballu
  • Patent number: 4518122
    Abstract: The invention relates to various improvements to a hand-operated hose for atomizing a liquid, especially for the treatment of plants. A tubular filter is tightened in a tubular handle by a box-nut against a transverse wall mounted in the tubular handle. This transverse wall is integrated with a rigid tube connected to a flexible feed-pipe. After dismantling of the box-nut, the filter is easily accessible for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1985
    Assignee: Tecnoma
    Inventor: Patrick J. Ballu
  • Patent number: 4512516
    Abstract: An agricultural sprayer is disclosed which comprises a frame and generally rigid supports pivotably mounted on the frame in such a manner as to be able to oscillate freely under the action of their weight in order to assume vertical positions between the plants which are to be treated. Spray nozzles are disposed on the supports in such a manner that the product passing out of the nozzles is thrown onto the side faces of the plants. Catches which are mounted on the frame are operable to lock the supports in their vertical positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1985
    Assignee: Tecnoma
    Inventor: Patrick J. Ballu
  • Patent number: 4473188
    Abstract: A machine for spraying a liquid for the treatment of plants and soils includes a nozzle fed by a pump and a pipe. The nozzle projects the liquid to be sprayed against the central portion of a rotary thrower. A collector in the form of a sector of a ring is fixed along the periphery of the rotary thrower without contact with it, so as to intercept the liquid projected except within an angle .theta.. The liquid intercepted by the collector is collected in a receiver and returned to the tank of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1984
    Assignee: Tecnoma
    Inventor: Patrick Ballu
  • Patent number: 4465233
    Abstract: Spraying device for treatment of plants comprising an extension of the shaft of the fan mounted in a spraying cannon coupled, by use of a belt, to a lower drive shaft, of fixed direction. A pivot spindle allows the cannon to be pivoted with respect to the fixed support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Assignee: Tecnoma
    Inventor: Patrick J. Ballu
  • Patent number: 4463521
    Abstract: This invention relates to a device for depositing a treatment liquid, such as a weedkiller, on plants, the device comprising a tank for the liquid, a plurality of wicks outside the tank, and elements for transferring the liquid contained in the tank to the ends of the wicks. The tank has a horizontally elongate shape and a cross-section which is very much greater than that of the wicks. The tank forms a ramp integral with a dispensing tube, which is mounted underneath the bottom of the elongate tank, parallel to its longitudinal axis, so that the dispensing tube is fed with liquid from a zone of the tank bottom, preferably adjacent to one of the ends of the tank. The dispensing tube has a cross-section similar to that of each wick, and a plurality of inlets or branches in which the ends of the wicks are immobilized by clamping and sealing devices, so that the remainders of the wicks extend freely outside the dispensing tube and the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Assignee: Tecnoma
    Inventor: Patrick J. Ballu
  • Patent number: 4193547
    Abstract: Mobile apparatus for spreading a constant volume of liquid per unit area of surface in spite of variations in speed of travel, has a spreading liquid circuit which includes a pressure regulator for controlling the liquid pressure in response to the pressure in an auxiliary liquid circuit. The pressure in the auxiliary liquid circuit is controlled by a sensing wheel which is carried on a pivotally mounted arm so that the sensing wheel can engage either with a wheel of the vehicle on which the apparatus is mounted or with the ground. The sensing wheel provides a pump for the auxiliary circuit and the flow rate of the pump is controlled by an orifice which can be partially occluded by a cam-like shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1980
    Assignee: Tecnoma
    Inventor: Vincent P. M. Ballu
  • Patent number: 4083494
    Abstract: A spraying plant the output of which can be made proportional to the rate of advance, comprises a source of power such as the power take off of a farming tractor, a positive displacement pump adapted to be driven from said source of power, a controlling member, such as a wheel, the rotation speed of which is proportional to said rate of advance, variable transmission means adapted to transmit power from said source to said pump and electronic regulating means controlled by said member for adjusting said variable transmission means whereby a predetermined quantity of product can be sprayed by unit area. The transmission means can be incorporated to the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1978
    Assignee: Tecnoma
    Inventor: Vincent Pierre Marie Ballu
  • Patent number: 3966092
    Abstract: The invention relates to a manually operated man-portable sprayer comprising a reciprocating pump the body of which extends through the upper wall of the reservoir, through which it can be caused to slide by a side-mounted actuating lever, said pump being disposed centrally in relation to the reservoir. Force is transmitted from the actuating lever to the pump body by a stirrup-shaped two-branch connecting-rod having its top hingedly connected to the pump body and coextensive therewith, and its two branches partially engaging into undercut reinforcing grooves formed in the reservoir wall on either side of and adjacent to the location of the pump body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1976
    Assignee: Tecnoma
    Inventor: Vincent Pierre Marie Ballu