Abstract: A fan spray nozzle provides a linear spray pattern of very fine droplets suitable for spraying thin invert emulsions containing active agents such as herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, growth regulators and the like, especially using an array of nozzles mounted on a moving vehicle. Each nozzle has a nozzle plug fitted into a nozzle body having an indentation complementary to the plug. A chamber in the body is coupled to the indentation and to an inlet for feeding pressurized liquid into the chamber. One or both of the nozzle plug and the nozzle body have a plurality of narrow grooves (0.001 to 0.015 inch or 25 to 400 microns in width), in a line along an abutment between the nozzle body and the nozzle plug and leading from the chamber to an external wall of the body.

Abstract: A dispensing nozzle is provided with uniform, very-small diameter orifices of 0.001 to 0.015 inch (25 to 400 microns) by slotting at least one of two preferably-conical abutting faces between relatively movable parts defining a nozzle wall. The orifices can be formed by cutting with a broach to form an array of slots in a conical plug structure that fits against a complementary conical seat. Micro-orifices are defined between the conical structure and seat, preferably with an internal diameter of about 0.004 to 0.007 inch (100 to 170 microns) for dispensing uniform small droplets of thin oil/water invert emulsions. The conical structure can be liftable from the seat for flushing the slots by use of a spring mount, whereby increasing the dispensing pressure lifts the plug and flushes the slots. A filter screen reduces the tendency of the nozzle to clog.

Abstract: A thin invert composition and method for applying agricultural products to a target area with minimal drift or evaporation is based on a water and oil mixture which is emulsified by minimal agitation so as to provide a low viscosity emulsion. The emulsion, when sprayed through small spray orifices (e.g., 0.020 inch internal diameter) forms a thin invert wherein the water phase is enclosed in the oil phase and the droplet size is small (e.g., 1000 microns mean diameter) and uniform. The water phase carries a hydrophilic active agricultural product. The mixture can have 15 to 50% oil phase by weight, and 50 to 80% water phase by weight, the water phase containing the active hydrophilic product of up to 75% by weight of the water phase. According to the composition and the method disclosed, the surface tension of the droplets formed when spraying is the primary factor determining droplet size, and is kept small and uniform for thorough application to leafy surfaces and the like.

Abstract: Apparatus for dilution of one liquid with another, such as a pesticide concentrate diluted with water, wherein dual piston displacement pumps are each actuated respectively by a coil spring and by an opposed hydraulic actuator with a piston powered by the flow of the diluting liquid, the hydraulic actuator being controlled by a control means for alternating reciprocation of the respective pistons of each hydraulic actuator responsive to the rate of flow of the diluting liquid so that a constant dilution ratio is maintained regardless of the pressure of the liquid supply. The control means includes a vane that is pivoted alternately by the action of the hydraulic actuator pistons to direct the flow thereto of liquid for dilution.

Abstract: An improved spray nozzle for use with aircraft includes a small diameter, plastic body having a forward liquid inlet and a transverse cavity receiving liquid chemicals under pressure through the inlet. A plurality of capillary tubes in fluid communication with the cavity are secured in the body to open rearwardly in a horizontal, planar fan-shaped configuration protruding from a rear wedge shaped end of the body. The transverse distance across the body and the capillary tubes is less than one and one-half inches to minimize gravity pressure differentials across the plurality of tubes when the aircraft is banked to thereby prevent liquid chemical dribbling. A removable baffle is secured within the transverse cavity in position to be impinged by the entering liquid chemicals to equalize liquid flow and pressure throughout the cavity to thereby provide equal flow through each of the capillary tubes.

Abstract: A reusable carrier for plastic containers is disclosed which includes a bent wire base of suitable dimensions and configuration to fit about and secure upon the bottom bead of the plastic container. A pivotal latch is provided to alternately secure and release the carrier base from association with the base bead of the container. An upper lifter is removably insertable into the finger space defined by the container handle to engage the plastic container handle in a releasable manner. First and second flexible carrying straps are affixed respectively to the upper lifter and to the carrier base to permit a filler container to be readily lifted and carried upon the back of the operator. The carrier base and carrier lifter are preferably formed of bent and welded wire components to minimize both the weight of the carrier and the fabrication costs.

Abstract: A volume controllable applicator is disclosed in the form of a self-contained spot gun for the application of pesticides and the like. The applicator includes an elongate applicator tube where terminates forwardly in a spray nozzle and rearwardly in a connection to a piston within a cylinder. A housing overfits a rearward portion of the applicator tube and the applicator tube is reciprocal relative to the housing by employing a pivotal, operating handle. An adjustable stop is affixed to the applicator tube forwardly of the housing to precisely limit and control the length of movement of the applicator tube relative to the housing in a manner to precisely control the volume of the effluent as it is pumped by the piston. A first one-way valve is connected to the cylinder inlet to admit the liquid chemical into the cylinder upon movement of the operating handle toward its suction position.

Abstract: A manual, portable spray apparatus is disclosed to enable a worker to spray fields in a remote area where batteries may be difficult to obtain. The apparatus includes a portable chemical liquid storage tank, from which gravity feeds agricultural liquid chemicals to a rotary spray head. The spray head is powered by a small electric motor which receives its electrical current from a portable dynamo. The portable dynamo is rotated by a portable gear train which in turn is functioned by a hand crank. The worker can maintain spraying operations by rotating the crank as he walks and by applying the rotary spray head to the desired areas to be sprayed as the entire apparatus is moved. The dynamo output can be connected to accessory electrical or electronic equipment such as a radio transmitter, a transistor radio or a lamp to thereby achieve maximum utility under all conditions of use.

Abstract: A low cost sprayer and method of using the sprayer is disclosed. The sprayer is formed with a length of flexible tubing having an inlet end and a tubing outlet end. A nozzle is secured to the outlet end of the hose in a manner to provide a predetermined flow pattern upon rotation of the tubing and nozzle. In use, the inlet end of the tubing is placed within an agricultural chemical containing tank and a predetermined length of the remainder of the tubing is rotated by a worker as he walks through the area to be sprayed. By varying the radius of the rotating portion of the tubing and by varying the type of spray nozzle employed, the swath width and the droplet size of liquid chemical application can be closely controlled. Granular agricultural chemicals can be applied by rotating a granular material nozzle about its axis while rotating the tubing in a vertical plane.

Abstract: A low cost sprayer and method of using the sprayer is disclosed. The sprayer is formed with a length of flexible tubing having an inlet end and a tubing outlet end. A nozzle is secured to the outlet end of the hose in a manner to provide a predetermined flow pattern upon rotation of the tubing and nozzle. In use, the inlet end of the tubing is placed within an agricultural chemical containing tank and a predetermined length of the remainder of the tubing is rotated by a worker as he walks through the area to be sprayed. By varying the radius of the rotating portion of the tubing and by varying the type of spray nozzle employed, the swath width and the droplet size of liquid chemical application can be closely controlled. Granular agricultural chemicals can be applied by rotating a granular material nozzle about its axis while rotating the tubing in a vertical plane.

Abstract: A remote throttling valve is disclosed which includes an internal valve seat and a valve operator arranged for longitudinal movement toward and away from the valve seat to open and close the valve. A threaded worm shaft carries the valve operator and is threadedly engaged in the valve body to longitudinally move the valve operator in response to rotation of the worm shaft. A ratchet gear exteriorly connects to the threaded worm shaft and is provided with a plurality of radially outwardly projecting ratchet teeth. A reversible motor including an eccentric drive functions first and second pawl fingers of a non-planar pawl into successive engagements with the ratchet gear teeth. Clockwise rotation of the motor causes intermittent rotation of the ratchet gear in a first direction and counter-clockwise rotation of the motor will cause intermittent rotation of the ratchet gear in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A centrifugal applicating device is disclosed which is hingedly connected below the product reservoir of an agricultural spray aircraft. The device includes an upper plate having a pair of feed openings and a pair of star wheel applicators rotatively carried by the upper plate below the feed openings. Each star wheel applicator includes a plurality of hollow nozzles in fluid communication with the feed openings to receive measured portions of granular agricultural materials. Each nozzle is formed with an enlarged, planar paddle on one side in position to be impinged by wind forces to rotate the star wheel applicators as the aircraft flies. A synchronizing mechanism interconnects the star wheel applicators to synchronize the speed of rotation and to assure a uniform spray pattern.

Abstract: An aspirator tray for connection to a liquid chemical spray device is disclosed. The tray includes a floor surrounded by a peripheral flange to define a dripped liquid chemical receiving and storage area. The tray connects to the spray device below the spray nozzles and is configured of sufficient size to catch any liquid chemical that may drip or dribble from the spray nozzles. A bottom drain opening is provided through the tray floor and vacuum tubing interconnects the drain opening with the top of the liquid chemical storage tank. A venturi is positioned with the main chemical supply outlet at the tank in a manner to provide suction forces through the vacuum tubing at all times when the spray device is in operation. In this manner, all liquid chemical materials caught by the tray will be automatically and continuously returned to the storage tank.

Abstract: An agricultural spray device comprising rotationally reciprocating spray heads moving in opposite directions relative to one another, provides for delivery of a liquid spray in a uniform pattern with little or no drift from the target zone. The spray heads which each carry one or more spray nozzles are set in rotationally reciprocating motion by eccentric drive connections from a common rotating drive. The spray nozzles are fed from a remote liquid supply tank through a liquid distribution system in which all joints between component parts are fixed relative to each other to eliminate the need for liquid seals between parts which move relative to one another.

Abstract: A low drift spray apparatus for controllably continuously pivoting the nozzle during discharge of spray composition whereby the emitting spray pattern describes the frustum of a cone as the nozzle pivots includes a flexible tubular segment of the liquid supply line adjacent to the nozzle; a pivotal support adjacent the nozzle for pivotally supporting an end of the flexible tubular segment about a fixed point; a fixed support at the other end of the segment, the segment being axially compressed to cause lateral displacement of a portion thereof; and a reciprocating subassembly adapted to continuously move the laterally displaced portion in a circular path substantially about an axis consisting of a line between the ends of the segment.

Abstract: A self-cleaning nozzle for use in spray devices. Liquid is discharged under pressure through a plurality of capillary tubes. After use, the capillary tubes are automatically cleaned by cleaning elements which are urged through the capillary tubes.

Abstract: A spray device for spraying liquid from a moving vehicle in a controlled spray pattern involves a central body; a conduit defined in the body which forms a liquid inlet port at one end of the body; a plurality of outlet ports located about the periphery of the conduit; a plurality of discharge tubes extending outwardly from said central body, each of said discharge tubes having one end connected to one of said outlet ports and the other end projecting in a direction opposite the direction of movement of the vehicle during use; and moveable, pressure-actuated outlet-blocking means. In one embodiment there is additionally provided means for controlling the rate of flow of liquid through the device.There is also disclosed an apparatus for spraying liquid from a moving vehicle in a variable swath width.

Abstract: A system for cleaning, rinsing, coating and drying cans having a circular side wall and a closed end wall at a high rate of speed as the cans emerge from the apparatus by which they are formed. The system basically comprises a washing stage, at least one rinsing stage and a drying stage, with one or more coating stages provided if desired. Each stage is housed in its respective housing and having a can entrance location and a can exit location, with the exit location of one stage being connected to the entrance location of the next succeeding stage by conveyor means. The stages are of a generally similar construction and basically comprise a carrier assembly disposed within the housing for receipt of the formed cans. The carrier rotates about a main longitudinal axis for carrying the cans from the entrance location to the exit location through a circular orbit and in planetary motion, wherein the cans are rotated about their own longitudinal axis as they orbit about the main longitudinal axis of the housing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for dispensing seed or other particulate matter in the air to apply the particulate matter generally evenly over a target area on the ground. The seeds are entrained in a viscous, elastic carrier fluid, which facilitates the movement thereof through hydraulic equipment and holds the seeds together in the air to preclude segregation or drifting as the particles drop to the target area. The seed and carrier fluid mixture is either premixed and stored in storage chamber in the apparatus or is mixed immediately prior to being dispensed in the air.One embodiment of the apparatus is utilized to broadcast seed over a relatively wide area and comprises a rotating spray head for dispensing the seed and carrier fluid mixture into the air.Another embodiment of the apparatus is used to apply rows of crop seed and comprises a dispensing head for providing a narrow stream of the seed and carrier fluid mixture into the air.

Abstract: A spraying apparatus and a method for spraying a liquid in a pattern which can be adjusted without stopping the spraying operation. The apparatus comprises a pair of nozzles, each including an orifice providing a liquid stream therefrom. The nozzles are mounted on opposed radially extending arms, each arm extending a predetermined distance along an axis which is normal to the central axis of the apparatus. Means are provided for adjusting the angular orientation of the nozzles with respect to the central axis to enable each nozzle's orifice to extend at any predetermined angle within the range of parallel to the central axis up to an angle of approximately 45.degree. with respect to the central axis. When the nozzles are oriented with their respective orifices parallel to the central axis the apparatus provides a pair of liquid streams in a relatively straight line which is parallel to the axis.