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 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.

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: 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: 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 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 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 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.