This invention relates to chemical supply devices for chemical handling systems, such as agricultural or horticultural or forestry sprayer systems, and to chemical containers for attachment to such devices.

Agricultural or horticultural or forestry sprayer systems are commonly of a type which includes a reservoir for supplying a dilutant and a spray head for spraying a mixture of the dilutant and a chemical concentrate. The chemical concentrate is supplied in a container and requires to be diluted with a dilutant, generally water, prior to use, the container being subsequently rinsed out with the dilutant. This diluting operation is commonly performed manually, but this is unsatisfactory because of the risk of chemical concentrate being spilled and the danger of the user coming into contact with the concentrate, and also because of the difficulty in accurately measuring the concentration of the chemical in the solution.

The requirements for minimising the risk of chemical contamination, for ensuring accurate metering and for rinsing of containers are embodied in Great Britain in the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985, the Pesticides Regulations 1986, the applicable Codes of Practice and recommendations from the Health and Safety Executive (C.O.S. H.H. regulations), and in similar codes in other countries.

It is an object of the invention to enable handling of chemical concentrate with or without dilutant with accuracy and safety.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a chemical supply device for a chemical handling system, wherein the supply device includes a conduit for supplying a quantity of chemical to the system, characterised in that the supply device also includes an injection orifice opening into the conduit, and a seating for detachably receiving a receptacle from which a quantity of chemical is to be supplied to the system, a duct placing the inside of the receptacle in one-way communication with the injection orifice when the receptacle is received in the seating so as to enable a quantity of chemical to be injected from the receptacle into the conduit by way of the injection orifice, and a rinsing pipe opening into the duct so as to enable rinsing fluid to be supplied to the receptacle by way of the rinsing pipe and the duct. The use of such a supply device in a sprayer system enables chemical concentrate to be injected directly from the receptacle into a flow of dilutant so that the resulting mixture of the dilutant and the chemical concentrate may be supplied directly to the spray head or to an intervening storage tank prior to supply to the spray head, without risk of the user being contaminated by the chemical concentrate.

The receptacle may be the container in which the

chemical concentrate is supplied. Alternatively the device may include supply means by means of which a quantity of chemical may be supplied from a chemical container to the receptacle by way of the duct prior to injection from the receptacle into the conduit.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the conduit has an inlet for receiving dilutant from the system and an outlet for supplying a mixture of the dilutant and the supplied chemical to the system, and the rinsing pipe is connected to enable flow of dilutant from the conduit into the receptacle for rinsing out the receptacle. The resultant mixture of the dilutant and chemical may then flow from the receptacle into the conduit. The conduit may incorporate a venturi to enable the flow of dilutant to exert some scavenging effect on the chemical in the injection orifice.

Where the receptacle is the chemical container itself, the container is generally supplied with its outlet closed off by a seal, in which case the duct may be adapted to pierce the seal to place the inside of the container in communication with the injection orifice.

The seating may incorporate a dry break coupling for engaging a complementary formation on the receptacle. According to another aspect of . the present invention, there is provided a chemical container for attachment to a chemical supply device for a chemical handling system, the supply device including a conduit for

supplying a quantity of chemical to the system, characterised in that the chemical concentrate container comprises a cylindrical casing for containing a quantity of chemical adapted at one end to be detachably received in a seating of the supply device and having an outlet for communication with an injection orifice opening into the conduit of the supply device, and an actuator which is actuable to force a quantity of chemical from within the casing through the outlet into the conduit by way of the injection orifice.

The chemical container will generally be supplied ready filled with chemical concentrate and is attachable to the supply device for direct injection of chemical concentrate into the conduit. However it is also within the scope of the invention for the container to be filled with chemical concentrate only after attachment to the supply device, as already described.

It is preferred that the actuator comprises a plunger which is displaceable to move a piston axially within the casing. The plunger may be detachable from the piston.

Conveniently the casing has a bayonet connector at said one end for engaging a complementary formation on the seating. The invention also provides an agricultural or horticultural or forestry sprayer system including a reservoir for supplying a dilutant, a spray head for spraying a mixture of the dilutant and a chemical

concentrate, and a chemical supply device as described for mixing the dilutant and the chemical concentrate prior to supply to the spray head.

The invention further provides a fitting for attachment to the outlet of a chemical container to permit supply of a quantity of chemical from within the container, the fitting including an outlet conduit for a quantity of chemical, an inlet conduit for air, a valve for closing the inlet conduit, and a float for closing the valve.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, reference will now be made, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of an agricultural sprayer system in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a section through a chemical concentrate metering device and a chemical concentrate container in accordance with the invention; Figure 3 is a section through a diverter of the system;

Figure 4 is a partial section through a part of a metering device in accordance with the invention;

Figure 5 is an end view of a piston of the chemical concentrate container;

Figure 6 shows a section through the piston and a side view of a plunger attachable to the piston;

Figure 7 is a side view of a chemical

concentrate container attached to the metering device; and Figure 8 is a section through a variant of a part of Figure 4.

Referring to Figure 1, the agricultural sprayer system 1 comprises a reservoir 2 having a removable cap 3 and an outlet 4 connected to a flow line 5 incorporating a pump 6. The flow line 5 forms a circulating loop which returns solution to the reservoir 2 by way of an inlet 7. Furthermore the flow line 5 incorporates a diverter valve 8 by means of which solution from the flow line 5 is supplied to an output line 9 and hence to a spray head 10. The output line 9 incorporates a pressure gauge 11 and a shutoff valve 12. In addition the flow line 5 incorporates a diverter 13 by means of which a proportion of the solution flow is returned to the reservoir 2 by way of a return line 14 and an inlet 15, and a chemical concentrate metering device 16 which will be described in further detail with reference to Figure 2.

The metering device 16 is provided for introducing a measured quantity of chemical concentrate into a proportion of the circulating solution as determined by the diverter 13 to be further described with reference to Figure 3 below. The resulting mixture is fed back to the reservoir 2 by way of the inlet 7 where the solution is stored, and possibly further mixed and agitated.

Referring to Figure 2, the chemical concentrate metering device 16 comprises a conduit 17 having a

screwthreaded inlet 18 and an outlet 19 for solution circulating in the flow line 5. The conduit 17 includes a venturi 20 and a non-return valve 21. In addition the metering device 16 has a seating 22 formed integrally with the conduit 17 and incorporating a bayonet connector 23 having an annular washer 24 and a spring 25. An injection orifice 26 incorporating a non-return valve 27 opens into the conduit 17 in the vicinity of the venturi 20 and is in communication with a short duct 28 within the seating 22. The injection orifice 26 also communicates with a pipe 29 which is communicable with the conduit 17 upstream of the venturi 20 by means of a tap 30.

The metering device 16 may be used in different modes as will be apparent from the following description. In a first mode an injection pump 31 having a cylindrical casing 32 and a piston 33 is received within the seating

22 by engagement of pins 34 at one end of the casing 32 with the bayonet connector 23 of the seating 22. Although the injection pump 31 is shown in Figure 2 detached from the seating 22, it will be apparent that the bayonet connection between the casing 32 and the seating 22 is established simply by introducing the pins 34 into the connector 23 so as to depress the washer 24 and the spring 25 and rotating the pins 34 within the connector 23. During this fitting operation the duct 28 will be introduced into an outlet 35 of the injection pump 31 and be sealed therein by means of 0-rings 36. The inside of the casing 32 will thereby be placed in communication with

the injection orifice 26 by way of the non-return valve 27. Furthermore the piston 33 is displaceable by means of a plunger (not shown in Figure 2, but described further below) so as to inject liquid from the inside of the casing 32 into the inside of the conduit 17.

Furthermore, in this mode, a chemical concentrate container (not shown in Figure 2) is connected to the pipe 29 by means of a flexible hose 37 and a dry break coupling 38. A conventional chemical concentrate container 39 is shown in Figure 4 connected to the flexible hose 37 and inverted. The container 39 has a screwthreaded outlet 40 and is shown broken away in the vicinity of the outlet 40 to illustrate the manner in which the outlet 40 is connected to the flexible hose 37 by means of a bung 41 and a screwthreaded cap 42. A container pressure balance tube 43 extends through the bung 41 to permit air to enter the inside of the container 39.

In operation, the piston 33 is drawn back from the position shown in broken lines 44 in Figure 2 to the position shown in solid lines in Figure 2, or to some intermediate position, to withdraw chemical concentrate from the container 39 along the hose 37 and the pipe 29 into the inside of the casing 32. The piston 33 is then depressed inwardly to force chemical concentrate from the inside of the casing 32 into the conduit 17 by way of the injection orifice 26 and to cause the chemical concentrate to mix with the solution circulating in the flow line 5.

Flow of chemical concentrate back into the pipe 29 during this injection operation is prevented by a non-return valve 45. This operation may be repeated as required to dispense the required quantity of chemical concentrate. Furthermore, if it is subsequently required to rinse out any chemical concentrate remaining in the injection pump 31 and the container 39, the container 39 is placed upright and the tap 30 is opened. The piston 31 is then again pulled back within the casing 32 so that solution is drawn from the conduit 17 into the pipe 29 and hence into the inside of the casing 32 and the container

39 where it mixes with the residue of the chemical concentrate. The resulting mixture of solution and chemical concentrate is returned to the conduit 17 by operating the piston 31 with the tap 30 closed.

Under certain circumstances it might also be convenient to provide a tap (not shown), similar to the tap 30, in the vicinity of the injection orifice 26 to permit direct supply of chemical concentrate from the container by way of the pipe 29 and the injection orifice 26 to the conduit 17, without passing through the casing 32, when the tap is in a first position. The contents of one or more complete containers may be emptied into the conduit 17 with the tap in this position, and the tap may then be moved to a second position to permit a part of the contents of a further container to be supplied to the conduit 17 whilst being metered by way of the casing 32.

In an alternative mode, the metering device 16

is used with a specially adapted chemical concentrate container in place of the injection pump 31, the dry break coupling 38 being closed off by a cap (not shown). The specially adapted chemical concentrate container is of substantially the same form as the injection pump 31 and is therefore not separately shown in Figure 2. The container 31 is supplied ready filled with chemical concentrate and with its outlet 35 closed off by a seal 46 and a detachable screwthreaded cap 47 (shown removed in Figure 2). Furthermore the container 31 is engaged with the seating 22 in the manner already described with reference to the injection pump. In this fitting operation the tube 28 pierces the seal 46 and places the inside of the container 31 in communication with the injection orifice 26 by way of the non-return valve 27. The chemical concentrate is them simply injected from the inside of the container 31 into the conduit 17 by depression of the piston 33. The container 31 may also be rinsed out with solution after opening of the tap 30 in the manner already described with reference to the injection pump.

In the mode of use just described the chemical concentrate container 31 may be discarded after use or alternatively may be returned to the chemical concentrate supplier for re-use.

As may be seen from Figure 2 a flange 48 is provided on the end of the casing 32 to prevent the piston 33 from being withdrawn from the casing 32. When supplied

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the end of the casing 32 may be sealed off by a foil sheet (not shown) bonded around its periphery to the flange 48, which sheet will be broken or removed when the plunger 61 is fitted to the piston 33. The foil sheet provides proof against tampering and security of the stored chemical. If the container is to be reused, it will obviously be necessary for the supplier to fit a new foil sheet, as well as a new seal 46 to the outlet 35.

Although not specifically illustrated in Figure 2, the metering device 16 is also capable of being modified for use in a third mode of operation in which the chemical concentrate is supplied in the form of a powder, rather than a liquid as is more usually the case. In this mode a hopper charged with the powder has an outlet which is threaded into a screwthreaded bore extending through an upper surface of the conduit 17 and opening into the inside of the conduit. On opening of an outlet valve, the chemical concentrate powder is introduced into the conduit

17 under the action of gravity, and in addition solution may be introduced from the conduit 17 into the hopper in order to rinse out the hopper by connecting a rinsing pipe between the dry break coupling 38 and the hopper and subsequently opening the tap 30.

The diverter 13 shown in Figure 3 comprises an inlet 50, an outlet 51 for connection to the inlet 18 of the conduit 17 by means of a screwthreaded bush 52, and an outlet 53 for connection to the return line 14.

Furthermore the diverter 13 includes an on/off cam-

operated tap 54, a non-return valve 55 and a pressure gauge 56. The tap 54 may be operated to cause the circulating solution to flow through the metering device 16 or to short-circuit the metering device 16 by diverting the circulating solution back to the reservoir 2 by way of the return line 14. The pressure gauge 56 indicates when the pressure in the flow line is at a safe level for mixing to take place.

Figure 5 shows a slot 60 in the end of the piston 33 of the injection pump or chemical concentrate container for engagement with a detachable plunger. Figure 6 shows the form of the plunger 61 which has an end 62 having a shape matching the shape of the slot 60. The plunger 61 is engaged with the piston 33 by inserting the end 62 into the slot 60 and turning the plunger 61 about its axis relative to the piston 33 so that the part 62 engages beneath the flange 63. The plunger 61 may then be used for moving the piston 33 in both directions within the casing 32. After use, the plunger 61 can be detached for use with a further container or for storage.

Figure 7 shows a mounting arrangement for a chemical concentrate container 31 when locked in the seating 22. Such a mounting arrangement allows introduction of the chemical concentrate container 31 at a suitable angle and at a suitable height for convenient operation of the plunger 61 by the user, and preferably at a level which is below the level of solution stored in the reservoir 2. The inclination of the container 31 also

ensures that chemical concentrate does not leak from the outlet of the container 31 if the container 31 is disengaged from the seating 22 whilst still partially filled with chemical concentrate. The mounting arrangement comprises an inclined bracket 70 and a cam lock 71 which may be used to lock a slidable support 72 in a position in which the support 72 supports the end of the container 31 remote from the end which is engaged with the seating 22. A metering scale 73 is provided on the casing 32, which is preferably transparent, for metering the chemical concentrate dispensed. Where the casing 32 is not transparent, a metering scale may be provided on the plunger 61.

As will be seen in Figure 4, in the case in which the chemical concentrate is supplied from a conventional container 31 by way of a flexible hose 37, the container 39 is inverted to assist emptying of the container 39. Figure 8 shows a specially adapted valve assembly 80 for fitting into the outlet of the container 39 to assist in supply of chemical concentrate from the container 39 in the inverted position. The valve assembly

80 extends through a circular aperture in . the bung 41 which is inserted in the outlet of the container and held therein by the screwthreaded cap 42. The assembly 80 comprises two semi-circular conduits 81 and 82 separated by a wall 83 and connectable to the flexible hose 37 and the container pressure balance tube 43 by connecting tubes

84 and 85 respectively. The conduit 81 opens into the

inside of the container by way of a perforated wall 86, and the conduit 82 opens into the inside of the container by way of a ball valve 87 and a perforated wall 88. The ball valve 87 comprises a seating 89 and a ball 90, and in addition a float 91 is displaceable within the conduit 82. In use, chemical concentrate may flow from the inside of the container to the flexible hose 37 by way of the conduit 81. Furthermore, due to the resulting reduction in the internal pressure of the container, the ball 90, which tends to close off the valve 87 when the container is in the inverted position, is lifted so as to allow air to enter the container. If any of the chemical concentrate should escape past the valve 87 into the tube 43, it will be retained in the tube 43 provided that the tube 43 extends to a height greater than the level of the chemical concentrate within the container. When the container has been emptied and is returned to its upright position, the ball 90 will drop to open the valve 87 and will rest on the seat 91. If the container is then filled with solution for rinsing by the hose 37, the valve 87 will permit escape of air as the container fills, but, when the level of solution in the container reaches the height of the float 91, the float 91 will be lifted so as to move the ball 90 into contact with the seat 89 and close off the valve 87.

The above-described chemical concentrate metering device can be incorporated in an existing conventional sprayer system by simple modification, or

alternatively it can be incorporated in new sprayer equipment during manufacture.

Although not specifically shown in the drawings, it is also contemplated within the scope of the invention that the chemical metering device can be used in conjunction with a microprocessor based control system to inject chemical concentrate directly into a flow of dilutant immediately prior to the solution being supplied to a spray head. In this case, the control system could be arranged to meter the chemical concentrate supply to a required datum in dependence on the speed of a vehicle to which the sprayer system is attached. In addition systems are contemplated within the scope of the invention in which the chemical is supplied by the metering device to the spray head without first being mixed with a dilutant. It will be appreciated that the above-described metering arrangements are particularly advantageous in operation since they achieve the objects of effectively isolating the operator and the environment from dangerous chemicals, such as concentrated pesticides, of accurately metering the chemical without applying suction, and of enabling the container in which the chemical is supplied to be quickly and simply washed out without removing it from the device and without requiring a separate water supply. The washings are returned to the sprayer system without exposing the operator or the environment to any risk of splash from either concentrates or dilute solutions.

Although the above described devices and fittings are described solely with reference to agricultural or horticultural sprayer systems, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide such devices or fittings in other applications in which a chemical is to be supplied to a chemical handling system, such as a food or chemical processing system or a chemical waste disposal system.