AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 SECTION 29 Innovation patent specification Dated: Wednesday, October 28, 2010 Horticulture Tree Sprayer Function and Simple Adjustment FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to outstanding simplicity in the design and constriction of a spraying 35 machine of water/chemical on medium horticultural trees planted in parallel rows. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A horticulture tree spray system is disclosed. The vehicle/trailer on wheels consists of the chassis and the water/chemical tank. The vehicle/trailer has fixed at least one upper arm and at 40 least one lower arm each carries a plurality of fan spay heads that can be adjusted, rotated, in position for convenient and easy transport and by changing the angle of at least one swing arm the upper and lower arms can be adjusted to accommodated effective chemical spraying of different trees sizes, shape, height and width. This invention is a simple version of a chemical spraying system machine used for crop protection. 45 For a long time agricultural chemicals have been applied using an air blaster system to spray away from a trailer towards the tree canopy. Such conventional sprayer can cover one row at a time, and are not suited to spray small trees, due to limited control over where the water / chemical spray is targeted and significant wastage to the environment. 50 Problems that are overcome with this invention are that the simple design of the machine is simplified and less costly to produce. It provides a spray system that can very simply be adjusted from transport position to an effective operation for applying water/chemical to trees. The spray system comprises a compact trailer designed to be towed behind a tractor, 55 The angle and placement of the spray heads are a critical factor in achieving good coverage of the trees from the sides, top and below. This sprayer invention is suited to spray any plants of different height and width that grow in parallel rows. 60 This invention relates to simple adjustments of the angle of the upper arm enhance the effectiveness of spraying the tree rows having different sizes trees. Adjustments can be carried out during operation from the tractor via the use of hydraulic actuators.
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65 THE PROTOTYPE TEST UNIT BASED ON TILS INVENTION A commercial company was engaged in the testing of the prototype spray machine based on this invention. A Summary Report From Testing By: Yandilla Park Pty Ltd South Australia and Peter Agnew 70 Australian Certified Organic Olive - Producer 10417a 59 McLean Road Coominya, Qd 4311 Non Disclosure And Secret Agreement Was Executed Between The Inventor). During the project the prototype spray machine was called the GreenTech Tree Sprayer/Olive Sprayer. 75 Experts employed by the company Yandilla Park Pty Ltd South Australia, quoted the following statements: "Efficiency of Spraying Orange Trees with the Green Tech Spray Unit" 80 "The Green Tech sprayer was successfully used as a citrus spray plant on Yandilla Park farms number 3 and number 5for an eight month period. It completed all duties ofthe oscillating boom units and was operated at the same ground speed but at 25% lower water volumes. Spray results with insecticides, insecticide plus oil, Gibberellic acid and Cit-Tile were all similar to those achieved with oscillating boom 85 units (GA and Cit-Tite applications continue to be assessed as the fruit matures) ". "Insecticide and insecticide plus oil trials were applied at approximately 38% to 59% lower water volumes than regular oscillating boom units and achieved encouraging resultsfor selected areas. 90 The test unit - the machine - that was used for carrying out the above test results is illustrated in Figures 1 to 9 and also Figures A, B and C. 95 In nearly all horticultural situations the problem is that the tree size, canopy size of the trees, row spacing, tree width, and tree height are variable depending on the particular produce growing on the land. In order to protect the trees good water/chemical coverage it is important. The spray heads are adjusted and placed in optimum position in respect to the tree canopy. 100 The invention here described - the machine - requires some considerable adjustment features that will simply adjust the angle of an upper arm which has mounted fan spray heads to optimum position and also spray at least two half rows in one pass operation. Generally, the problem is the gap between the tree rows is considerably different depending on the tree size, canopy size of the trees, row spacing, tree width, and tree height. 105 These problems have been overcome and are illustrated in Figures I to 9, showing different position of the upper arms. 110 2 BACKGROUND OF MULTI-HEAD SPRAYER The detail of the spray head is described here. The "Spray bead" has a fan with several blades that rotate as the fan motor can either be driven by an air-motor, hydraulic motor or an 115 electrical motor and speed that is effective enough to provide sufficient air volume for transporting the water/chemical into dense tree canopies. Nozzles or atomizers are placed in front of the fan. In 1985 the British Society for Research in Agricultural Engineering published a paper written. 120 by Geoffrey 0. Furness (South Australian Research & Development Institute) and W Val Pinezewski which supports the effective and novelty of this invention. The subject: "A Comparison of the Spray Distribution Obtained from Sprayers with Converging and Diverging Air jets with Low Volume Air Assisted Spraying on Citrus and 125 Grapevines" Further and more detail of the background and prototype testing is refereed and described in the Australian innovation patent number AU 2007100326 A4 - 26 June 2007 130 PROVEN NOVELTY OF PREVIOUS GRANTED INVENTIONS BY THE INVENTOR The inventor solved problems of applying water/chemical on grapevines and has achieved outstanding commercial success by his invention using multi spray head technology for spray vineyards. The inventor, Mr. Bent Baek, was Granted patents having the following patent 135 numbers * Australia 719303 and 690473 - Innovation patent Australia AU 2007100326 A4 * EU 0986954 and 0783376 4 USA 5,921,019 and 6,202,941. 140 The inventor, Mr. Bent Baek, has exploited his Granted patents to date and his company GreenTech International Pty Ltd has gained commercial popularity with the technology of multi-head sprayers in the Wine Industry and with grapevines growers. Currently products are manufactured and marketed by the inventor's company in Australia, the USA, New Zealand 145 and South America. The inventor, Mr. Bent Baek, has made his vineyard spray machines successful by using multi spray dc ob c ot available and reliable electrical motor technology. 150 155 3 PROVEN INVENTIVE STEPS TO THIS INVENTION As mentioned a prototype spray machine based on this invention was tested and clear inventive steps took place. Further, the inventor solved problems of applying water/chemical 160 on grapevines and has achieved outstanding commercial success by his invention using multi spray head technology for spray vineyards. The inventor, Mr. Bent Baek, was granted patents having the following patent numbers - Australia 719303 and 690473, EU 0986954, AU 2007100326 A4 and 0783376, USA 5,921,019 and 6,202,941. The inventor, Mr. Bent Baek, has exploited his Granted patents to date and his company GreenTech International Pty Ltd 165 has gained commercial popularity with the technology of multi-head sprayers in the Wine Industry and with grapevines growers and now the inventor has solution for the tall tree grower DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 170 Figures A, a vehicle/trailer chassis with wheels is shown traveling between at two tree rows having positioned the upper arms which carry a number of fan spray heads directing waster/chemical towards both tree rows canopies. Figures B, a vehicle/trailer chassis with wheels is shown having the upper ans in down 175 position parallel to the side of the trailer and the swing arm in out position thus the machine can be easy transported. Figures C and D, illustrates the function of the swing arm, upper arm and the lower arm. The swing arm can change angle by rotating in bearing Y 1 and the upper and lower arm can rotate 180 in bearing Y2. The upper arm is connected by a pivot pin lint hinge and the arm can change angle by a powered hydraulic cylinder link. When operating the powered hydraulic cylinder link the angle of the upper arm is changing tilting toward the tree row as shown in figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. the upper arm and lower arms can rotate in bearing Y2 and therefore the upper arm can be parked in a convenient transport position on for example on the top of the 185 vehicle/trailer chassis as shown in figure B, 6 and 7 and thus the machine can be easy transported 4 Figures 1 a vehicle/trailer chassis with wheels is shown having the upper arms in down position and the swing arm at in position. 190 Figures 2 a vehicle/trailer chassis with wheels is shown having the upper arms in down position and the swing arm in out position. Figure 3, a vehicle/trailer chassis with wheels is shown having the upper arms in up position 195 and the swing arm in out position. This showing also the upper arm in tilted a little to accommodate the targeting water/chemical spray on the top of the trees. Figure 4. a vehicle/trailer chassis with wheels is shown having the upper arms in up position and the swing arm in position. This showing also the upper arm in tilted a little to 200 accommodate the targeting water/chemical spray on the top of the trees. Figure 5. a vehicle/trailer chassis with wheels is shown having the upper arms in up position and the swing arm in out position. Note the upper arms are having an angle which enables the spray heads to target the spray down on the trees. 205 Figure 6. a vehicle/trailer chassis with wheels is shown having the upper arms in down position parallel to the side of the trailer and the swing arm in out position thus the machine can be easy transported. 210 Figure 7. a vehicle/trailer chassis with wheels is shown having the right hand upper arm in down position parallel to the side and the left hand upper arm in up position and the swing arms in out position. Figure 8. a vehicle/trailer chassis with wheels is shown having the upper arms in up position 215 and the swing arms at in position. Figure 9. a vehicle/trailer chassis with wheels is shown having the upper arms in up position and the swing arms in out position.
220 Illustration showing a brochure the spray system - the machine - when the arms are raised in operation with a small angle of the upper arms and also with the arms in down position for transport. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODTMENT 225 To assist with understanding the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying figures/illustrations which show examples of the invention. Figures 1 to 9. A trailer chassis in which is a tank for storage of the chosen water and chemical mixture and a pump to transport this mixture via hosing to several fan beads. An 230 alternator rotated by pulleys, driven by a power takes off (PTO) shaft to the tractor. The alternator power leads are fed into a power box which splits the generated power to several fan spray heads with circuit breaker protection to avoid overload of the fan motors. Figures 1 to 5. The problems in spraying different trees sizes have been overcome by this 235 invention and are illustrated in Figures 1 and figure 2. The figures show the upper arms able to change in angle and also move in behind the spray machine thus able to spray different canopy sizes of the trees, row spacing, tree width, and tree height with the invention (spray machine) placed in between two rows of trees. The angle position of the upper arms can change by hydraulic cylinder(s). The upper joints of the arms have swivel joints which are clamped to the 240 upper part of the pipe on which the spray heads are mounted. This enables the spray heads to be placed and adjusted to suit the tree canopy size that is sprayed at the time. The spray system - the machine - is able to spray at least two half rows of trees in one pass operation. Figure 3. This illustration shows the rear view of spray system - the machine - when the arms 245 are raised (tilted in almost in up position) and the machine is in operation mode when the tractor applies the required power to the machine. Figure 4. This illustration shows the front view of spray system - the machine - when the upper arms are raised (tilted in almost in up position) and the machine is in operation mode 250 but here the swing arms are move in behind the spray machine by the swing enabling to spray tree rows that are growing very close together. 6 Figure 5. This illustration shows the front view of spray system - the machine - when the upper arms are raised (tilted in almost in up position) and the machine is in operation mode 255 but here the swing arms are move in out so the spray machine enabling to spray tree rows that are growing very far apart. Figures 6. This illustration showing the front view of the spray system - the machine - when the upper arms are tilted in down position in transport mode when moved along roads to and 260 from different property or parked in a shed and it can be activated by the tractor's hydraulic system. Figures 7. This illustration showing the front view of the spray system - the machine - when one upper arm is tilted in down position in transport mode but the machine can spray one row 265 as the other arm in up position and it can be activated by the tractor's hydraulic system. Figure 8. This illustration shows the front view of spray system - the machine - when the tipper arms are raised (tilted in vertical up position) and the machine is in operation mode but here the swing arms are move in behind the spray machine enabling to spray tree rows that ar. 270 growing very close together. This illustration shows the rear view of the REAR FRAME OF SPRAY SYSTEM ONLY- when the arms are raised (tilted in up position) and the machine is in operation mode when the tractor applies the required power to the machine. In this view the arms are in the position for spraying two rows that have canopies close together. When spraying wide trees the booms can be folded directly behind the cart and chassis. 275 Figure 9. This illustration shows the front view of spray system - the machine - when the arms are raised (tilted in up vertical position) and the machine is in operation mode but here the arms are move in out so the spray machine enabling to spray tree rows that are growing very far apart. This illustration shows the rear view of the REAR FRAME OF SPRAY 280 SYSTEM ONLY- when the arms are raised (tilted in up position) and the machine is i. operation mode when the tractor applies the required power to the machine. In this view the arms are in the position for spraying two rows that have tree canopies far apart. However, the booms can be moved outward by changing the angle of the upper and lower arms. The upper and the lower arms can be adjusted so the booms (spray heads) can be moved out to 285 accommodate the space between the trees where the machine drives between two tree rows. 7 OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM When spraying different size trees, the spray heads can be switched on/off individually in order to avoid the unnecessary waste of the water/chemicals. Notice from the illustration give here, the angle of the upper arm will move the pipe (which the spray heads are mounted) 290 outward and if the lower arms are kept in the original positions the upper arms are tilted to give the ideal shape over the trees so water/chemical is target on the top and side of the tress. 295 300 305 310 315 8