Agricultural spraying system using a rinse liquid as the active ingredient carrier

Abstract

The present invention relates to an agricultural spraying system (1) comprising: a tank (3) configured to contain a product (2), the tank (3) being connected to a first downstream line configured to convey the product (2) to a mixing zone (9); a first tank (11) configured to contain a clear liquid (4), the first tank (11) being connected to a first upstream line (13) configured to convey the clear liquid to the tank (3) such that the clear liquid (4) rinses the tank (3), forming a gray liquid (6); the system (1) being characterized in that the first downstream line comprises a device (15) configured to direct the gray liquid (6) to at least one second tank (17) connected to a second downstream line (19) configured to convey the gray liquid (6) to the mixing zone (9). Abstract figure: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Agricultural spraying system using a rinsing liquid as the active product carrier liquid Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of agricultural spraying systems.

[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to the rinsing of an agricultural spraying system and the reuse of a liquid used for said rinsing. STATE OF THE ART

[0003] Known from the state of the art is an agricultural spraying system for an active product such as a phytosanitary liquid, for example carried on an agricultural machine circulating in rows of plant crops. Such a system comprises in particular a spraying assembly, formed for example from a boom and a plurality of spray nozzles configured to spray the phytosanitary liquid. Such a liquid is generally stored in a tank, and to be sprayed on the crops to be treated, the phytosanitary liquid is incorporated into a carrier liquid, generally water, in predetermined and precise proportions. Advantageously, it is known to carry out the incorporation before the start of a spraying operation, that is to say before the departure of the agricultural machine towards the rows of plant crops to be sprayed.The spraying system and the agricultural machine then carry a defined quantity of mixture, the concentration of which is defined and substantially constant.

[0004] When the spraying operation is finished and the tank is emptied of its active product, it is necessary, for regulatory reasons, to clean the active product tank and the pipes of the agricultural spraying system in order to eliminate stagnant active product residues. Indeed, stagnant active product in the pipes can degrade the service life of the agricultural spraying system. In fact, an agricultural spraying system is known from the prior art, further comprising a pneumatic circuit, said pneumatic circuit being connected to the tank and to the pipes, and configured to inject a gas such as air so as to evacuate stagnant residues of plant protection product through the nozzles of the spraying assembly, in particular after a water rinsing operation.

[0005] Such a spraying system has the advantage of improving the efficiency of tank rinsing, eliminating stagnant residues, thus avoiding clogging of the pipes and the tank. In addition, it is also ensured that the chemical balance of an active product intended to be sprayed subsequently with the same spraying system is not altered.

[0006] However, the discharged residues are also sprayed onto plant crops that have already received an adequate dose of active product, which represents a waste of active product, thus reducing the profitability of the spraying system. Furthermore, when reusing the equipment for a new spraying operation of different plant crops using a different active product, the presence of residues, even in small quantities, presents a risk of phytotoxicity for said plant crops.

[0007] The invention aims to resolve all or part of the drawbacks of the state of the art, by proposing a spraying system making it possible to avoid wasting active product residues. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] More specifically, the invention relates to an agricultural spraying system, comprising: at least one reservoir configured to contain an active product, the reservoir being connected to a first portion of a first downstream pipe configured to convey the active product from the reservoir to at least one mixing zone of a spray assembly of the spray system; a first tank configured to contain a clear liquid, the first tank being connected to a first upstream conduit configured to convey clear liquid from the first tank to the reservoir such that the clear liquid rinses the reservoir, forming a gray liquid from active product residue mixed with the clear liquid.

[0009] The system is remarkable in that the first downstream pipe comprises a regulating member configured to direct, via a second portion of the first downstream pipe, the gray liquid towards at least one second tank configured to contain the gray liquid, the second tank being connected to a second downstream pipe configured to convey the gray liquid from the second tank towards the mixing zone upstream of the spray assembly, so that the gray liquid performs the function of carrier liquid in which the active product is mixed, the gray liquid incorporating the active product being intended to be sprayed by the spray assembly.

[0010] The term "clear liquid" means a liquid free of any active product circulating in the agricultural spraying system, for example water.

[0011] The term "grey liquid" means a liquid comprising a concentration of active product which is significantly lower than the concentration of active product incorporated into a carrier liquid, so that its use does not disrupt the dosage of the mixture. For example, the concentration of active product in the "grey liquid" is at least 1000 times, preferably at least 10,000 times lower than it is in the sprayed mixture. In the tank, we speak of gray liquid from the moment the clear liquid comes into contact with active product residues.

[0012] By "reservoir" is meant any container of active product, in particular potentially any type of standard canister available commercially and containing active product. The term "reservoir" also covers a reservoir into which active product would be transferred, in particular from a canister.

[0013] Thanks to such a combination of characteristics, the pipes and tanks of such a spraying system have the advantage of being able to be rinsed effectively using the clear liquid, which makes it possible to preserve the components of the agricultural spraying system, and not to alter the chemical balance of an active product subsequently circulating in the tanks and pipes.

[0014] Advantageously, the first tank is connected to a second upstream pipe configured to convey clear liquid from the first tank to the second tank. In such a configuration, it is possible to guarantee a sufficient volume of gray liquid to ensure the carrier liquid function, in particular by supplementing a free volume of the second tank with clear liquid. Preferably, the volume of the first tank is greater than the volume of the second tank.

[0015] Advantageously, the first tank is pressurized by means of a pressure member of the first tank configured to control a flow of clear liquid towards the first upstream pipe and a flow of clear liquid towards the second upstream pipe. In such a configuration, it is possible to guarantee the presence of a minimum volume of clear liquid in the second tank, so that the concentration of active product residues in the gray liquid of the second tank is very significantly lower than a reference concentration. The first tank may advantageously comprise more than one pressure member, for example so that another pressure member is configured to control a flow of clear liquid from the first tank to the second tank.

[0016] Advantageously, the reservoir is pressurized by means of a reservoir pressure member configured to control a flow of active product from the reservoir to the first portion of the first downstream pipe and / or a flow of gray liquid from the reservoir to the second portion of the first downstream pipe. In such a configuration, it is possible to control the flow rate of active product conveyed to the mixing zone, allowing precise dosing. In addition, when the reservoir is being rinsed, it is also possible to control the flow rate of gray liquid conveyed to the second tank.

[0017] Advantageously, the first upstream pipe is connected directly to the first downstream pipe upstream of the regulating member, the first upstream pipe comprising a shut-off valve configured to allow the clear liquid to be routed from the first upstream pipe directly to the first downstream pipe so that the clear liquid rinses the first downstream pipe, forming the gray liquid from active product residues mixed with the clear liquid. In such a configuration, it is possible to rinse the downstream pipe directly, without the liquid having previously circulated in the tank(s), increasing the effectiveness of the rinsing.

[0018] Advantageously, the second tank is connected to a recirculation pipe.

[0019] Advantageously, the system comprises at least two reservoirs. In such a configuration, the use of each reservoir is independent of the other reservoirs. For example, the rinsing of a reservoir and the spraying of active product from another reservoir can be carried out simultaneously. Thus, gray liquid providing the function of carrier liquid can be formed concomitantly with a spraying operation.

[0020] According to one embodiment, it is possible to anticipate the end of the spraying operation and to start rinsing the second tank. Thus, as the end of the worksite approaches, that is to say when the spraying operation of a plot is almost complete, the second tank containing the gray liquid is gradually emptied, so that it is empty or almost empty at the end of the worksite. It is understood that to be emptied, the second tank is no longer supplied with gray liquid via the first downstream pipe.

[0021] Advantageously, the first portions of the first downstream pipes connected to each tank are convergent upstream of the mixing zone of the spray assembly and the second portions of the first downstream pipes are convergent upstream of the second tank. In such a configuration, the architecture of the first downstream pipe upstream of the mixing zone is simplified and has better compactness. PRESENTATION OF FIGURES

[0022] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and referring to the appended drawings given by way of non-limiting examples, in which identical references are given to similar objects and in which:

[0023] [Fig.l] is a schematic representation of an agricultural spraying system according to a first embodiment of the invention, in an initial configuration;

[0024] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of an agricultural spraying system according to a second embodiment of the invention, in an initial configuration;

[0025] [Fig. 3] is a schematic representation of the agricultural spraying system of [Fig. 2] in a first operating configuration;

[0026] [Fig.4] is a schematic representation of the agricultural spraying system of [Fig.2] in a second operating configuration;

[0027] [Fig.5] is a schematic representation of the agricultural spraying system of [Fig.2] in a third operating configuration;

[0028] [Fig.6] is a schematic representation of the agricultural spraying system of [Fig.2] in a fourth operating configuration;

[0029] [Fig.7] is a schematic representation of the agricultural spraying system of [Fig.2] in a fifth operating configuration;

[0030] [Fig.8] is a schematic representation of the agricultural spraying system of [Fig.2] in a final configuration.

[0031] It should be noted that the figures set out the invention in detail to enable the invention to be implemented; although not limiting, said figures serve in particular to better define the invention where appropriate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] The invention relates to an agricultural spraying system 1 illustrated according to a first embodiment in [Fig.l]. The agricultural spraying system 1 is for example mounted on board an agricultural machine circulating in plots of plant crops.

[0033] The spraying system 1 comprises at least one first reservoir 3 configured to contain an active product 2, in particular a phytosanitary treatment product for plant crops. The reservoir 3 is connected to a first portion 7a of a first downstream pipe configured to convey the active product 2 from the reservoir 3 to at least one mixing zone 9 of a spraying assembly 5. The spraying assembly 5 advantageously comprises a spraying boom as well as a plurality of nozzles configured to spray the active product 2 incorporated in a carrier liquid. The reservoir 3 has a spraying configuration for carrying out a spraying operation, and has a rinsing configuration for undergoing a partial or total rinsing operation.

[0034] The spraying system 1 also comprises a first tank 11 configured to contain a clear liquid 4. The clear liquid 4 is a liquid devoid of any active product 2, for example water. The first tank 11 is connected to a first upstream pipe 13 configured to convey clear liquid 4 from the first tank 11 to the reservoir 3 for a rinsing operation. During such an operation, the reservoir 3 contains only a minor fraction of active product 2, i.e. residues of active product 2 present on the walls of the reservoir 3. During such a rinsing, a gray liquid 6 is formed from the residues of active product 2 mixed with the clear liquid 4. The liquid is said to be gray liquid 6 from the moment the clear liquid 4 enters contact with the active product residues 2. Advantageously, the first upstream pipe 13 comprises a stop valve configured to allow the passage of the clear liquid 4 towards the reservoir 3 only when the reservoir 3 no longer contains anything other than active product residues 2.

[0035] The first downstream pipe comprises a regulating member 15 configured to direct, via a second portion 7b of the first downstream pipe, the gray liquid 6 towards a second tank 17 configured to contain the gray liquid 6. In other words, the regulating member 15 in a spraying configuration, directs the active product 2 towards the mixing zone 9 via the first portion 7a of the first downstream pipe and directs in a rinsing configuration the gray liquid 6 towards the second tank 17. During a spraying operation, the second tank 17 can advantageously contain gray liquid 6 formed during a previous rinsing operation.

[0036] The second tank 17 is furthermore connected to a second downstream pipe 19 configured to convey the gray liquid 6 to the mixing zone 9, upstream of the spray assembly 5. The gray liquid 6 then performs the function of carrier liquid in which the active product 2 is mixed, the gray liquid 6 incorporating the active product 2 intended to be sprayed by the spray assembly 5.

[0037] The pipes and the reservoir 3 of such a spraying system have the advantage of being able to be rinsed effectively by means of the clear liquid 4, which makes it possible to preserve the components of the agricultural spraying system 1, and not to alter the chemical balance of an active product 2 subsequently circulating in the reservoir 3 and the pipes, which could in particular lead to risks of phytotoxicity. Finally, the agricultural spraying system 1 makes it possible to use a gray liquid 6 as a priority, before consuming clear liquid 4, allowing better management of the stock of clear liquid 4.

[0038] In the embodiment described, the first tank 11 is furthermore advantageously connected to a second upstream pipe 21 configured to convey clear liquid 4 from the first tank 11 to the second tank 17. Thus, it is possible to guarantee a volume of gray liquid 6 sufficient to ensure the carrier liquid function, in particular by supplementing a free volume of the second tank 17 with clear liquid 4, so that the concentration of active product residues 2 is very significantly lower than the concentration of active product 2 in the carrier liquid. Preferably, the volume of the first tank 11 is greater than the volume of the second tank 17.

[0039] In the embodiment described, the reservoir 3 is advantageously pressurized by means of a pressure member 25 of the reservoir 3. In the spraying configuration, the pressure member 25 is configured to control a flow of active product 2 from the reservoir 3 to the first portion 7a of the first downstream pipe when spray system 1 is in spray configuration.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the reservoir 3 is equipped with a closing device cooperating with the pressure member 25 of the reservoir 3 and with a membrane capable of expanding and contracting inside the reservoir 3, the membrane being inflated so as to impose an overpressure inside the reservoir 3 to generate the flow of active product 2 leaving the reservoir 3 in the spraying configuration.

[0041] In the rinsing configuration, the pressure member 23 is also configured to control a flow of gray liquid 6 leaving the reservoir 3 towards the second portion 7b of the first downstream pipe. Thus, it is possible to control the flow rate of active product 2 conveyed towards the mixing zone 9, with a reservoir 3 other than the reservoir 3 being rinsed. In addition, when the reservoir 3 is being rinsed, it is also possible to control the flow rate of gray liquid 6 conveyed towards the second tank 17.

[0042] In the embodiment described, the first tank 11 is advantageously pressurized by means of a pressure member 23 of the first tank 11 configured to control a flow of clear liquid 4 towards the first upstream pipe 13 and a flow of clear liquid 4 towards the second upstream pipe 21.

[0043] In the embodiment described, the second tank 17 is advantageously pressurized by means of a pressure member 27 of the second tank 17 configured to control a flow of gray liquid 6 towards the second downstream pipe 19. The flow rate of the flow of gray liquid 6 controlled by the pressure member 27 of the second tank 17 can advantageously be greater than the sum of the flow rate of the flow of the clear liquid 4 controlled by the pressure member 23 of the first tank 11 and the flow rate of the flow of gray liquid 6 controlled by the pressure member 25 of the reservoir 3. Thus, the gray liquid 6 has a flow rate necessary to incorporate the active product 2 into the mixing zone 9 and to convey the gray liquid 6 into the spray assembly 5.

[0044] In the embodiment described, the first upstream pipe 13 is advantageously connected directly to the first downstream pipe, upstream of the regulating member 15, that is to say before the separation between the two separate branches formed by the first portion 7a and the second portion 7b. The first upstream pipe 13 then comprises a stop valve 29. The stop valve 29 is configured to allow the routing of clear liquid 4 directly from the first upstream pipe 13 to the first downstream pipe, so that the clear liquid 4 rinses the first downstream pipe. Here, the second tank 17 advantageously comprises a recirculation pipe 31.

[0045] [Fig. 2] illustrates the agricultural spraying system 1 according to a second embodiment. The embodiment of [Fig. 2] differs from the embodiment of [Fig.l] in particular in that it comprises at least two reservoirs 3, here three reservoirs 3. In this embodiment, the use of each reservoir 3 is independent of the other reservoirs 3. For example, the rinsing of a reservoir 3 and the spraying of active product 2 from another reservoir 3 can be carried out simultaneously. This configuration has the advantage of allowing the formation of gray liquid 6 from the rinsing of a given reservoir 3 to ensure the function of carrier liquid concomitantly with a spraying operation requiring the conveyance of active product 2 from a non-empty reservoir 3.

[0046] In the embodiment described, the first portions 7a of the first downstream pipes are convergent upstream of the mixing zone 9 and the second portions 7b of the first downstream pipes are convergent upstream of the second tank 17. In such a configuration, the architecture of the first downstream pipe upstream of the mixing zone 9 is simplified and has better compactness.

[0047] The remainder of the description focuses on detailing the operating principle of the agricultural spraying system 1. In [Fig. 1] and in [Fig. 2], the spraying system 1 is in an initial configuration, that is to say a configuration prior to any operation of spraying a plot of plant crops and any rinsing operation. The first tank 11 is filled with clear liquid 4. The second tank 17 is initially filled with gray liquid 6 formed during a previous rinsing operation of the spraying system or with clear liquid 4. The tanks 3 are filled with active product 2.

[0048] [Fig. 3] illustrates the agricultural spraying system 1 in a first configuration. Here, the active product 2 is conveyed from a first tank 3 to the mixing zone 9 via the first downstream pipe. The regulating member 15 directs the active product 2 to the first portion 7a. In parallel, the second downstream pipe 19 conveys the gray liquid 6 to the mixing zone 9 of the spraying assembly 5. The active product 2 is incorporated into the gray liquid 6 in the mixing zone 9 and is ready to be sprayed.

[0049] [Fig. 4] illustrates the agricultural spraying system 1 in a second configuration. Here, the first tank 3 is emptied, and now only contains active product residues 2. The first pipe then conveys the clear liquid 4 to the first tank 3, forming the gray liquid 6 when the clear liquid 4 comes into contact with the active product residues 2, as illustrated in [Fig. 5] in a third configuration of the agricultural spraying system 1. [Fig. 6] illustrates the agricultural spraying system 1 in a fourth configuration. The clear liquid 4 rinses the walls of the first tank 3 and is conveyed to the first downstream pipe. The regulating member 15 directs the gray liquid 6 resulting from the rinsing of the first tank 3 to the second portion 7b, to the second tank 17. It should be noted that in the case where the spraying system 1 comprises at least two tanks 3, the active product from the second tank 3 can be conveyed to the mixing zone 9 concomitantly with the rinsing operation described in [Fig.6], as explained previously.

[0050] [Fig. 7] illustrates the agricultural spraying system 1 in a fifth configuration. Here, the spraying operation is completed. The first and second tanks 3 are emptied and rinsed, and an excess of active product 2 is retained in the third tank 3, which can be used during a next spraying operation. As explained previously, it is necessary to reconstitute a satisfactory stock of gray liquid 6 for said next spraying operation. Thus, the second upstream pipe 21 conveys clear liquid 4 directly to the second tank 17, as illustrated in [Fig. 8], in a final configuration of the agricultural spraying system 1. The gray liquid 6 is then diluted using clear liquid 4 directly in the second tank 17, which can be filled to its maximum volume.

[0051] It will also be noted that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. It will indeed appear to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the embodiment described above, in light of the teaching which has just been disclosed to them.

[0052] In the detailed presentation of the invention which is made above, the terms used must not be interpreted as limiting the invention to the embodiment set out in the present description, but must be interpreted to include all equivalents whose prediction is within the reach of a person skilled in the art by applying his general knowledge to the implementation of the teaching which has just been disclosed to him.

Claims

Claims

1. Agricultural spraying system (1), comprising: • at least one tank (3) configured to contain an active product (2), the tank (3) being connected to a first portion (7a) of a first downstream pipe configured to convey the active product (2) from the tank (3) to at least one mixing zone (9) of a spray assembly (5) of the spraying system (1); • a first tank (11) configured to contain a clear liquid (4), the first tank (11) being connected to a first upstream pipe (13) configured to convey clear liquid (4) from the first tank (11) to the tank (3) so that the clear liquid (4) rinses the tank (3), forming a gray liquid (6) from residues of active product (2) mixed with the clear liquid (4);the system (1) being characterized in that the first downstream pipe comprises a regulating member (15) configured to direct, via a second portion (7b) of the first downstream pipe, the gray liquid (6) towards at least one second tank (17) configured to contain the gray liquid (6), the second tank (17) being connected to a second downstream pipe (19) configured to convey the gray liquid (6) from the second tank (17) towards the mixing zone (9) upstream of the spray assembly (5), so that the gray liquid (6) performs the function of carrier liquid in which the active product (2) is mixed, the gray liquid (6) incorporating the active product (2) being intended to be sprayed by the spray assembly (5).;

2. A spraying system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first tank (11) is connected to a second upstream pipe (21) configured to convey clear liquid (4) from the first tank (11) to the second tank (17).

3. Spraying system (1) according to claim 2, in which the first tank (11) is pressurized by means of a pressure member (23) of the first tank (11) configured to control a flow of clear liquid (4) towards the first upstream pipe (13) and a flow of clear liquid (4) towards the second upstream pipe. (21).

4. Spraying system (1) according to claim 3, in which the reservoir (3) is pressurized by means of a pressure member (25) of the reservoir (3) configured to control a flow of active product (2) from the reservoir (3) towards the first portion (7a) of the first downstream pipe and / or a flow of gray liquid (6) from the reservoir (3) towards the second portion (7b) of the first downstream pipe.

5. Spraying system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first upstream pipe (13) is connected directly to the first downstream pipe upstream of the regulating member (15), the first upstream pipe (13) comprising a shut-off valve (29) configured to allow the clear liquid (4) to be conveyed from the first upstream pipe (13) directly to the first downstream pipe so that the clear liquid (4) rinses the first downstream pipe, forming the gray liquid (6) from residues of active product (2) mixed with the clear liquid (4).

6. A spraying system (1) according to claim 5, wherein the second tank (17) is connected to a recirculation line (31).

7. Spraying system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least two reservoirs (3).

8. Spraying system (1) according to claim 7, in which the first portions of the first downstream pipes connected to each tank (3) are convergent upstream of the mixing zone (9) of the spraying assembly (5) and the second portions of the first downstream pipes are convergent upstream of the second tank (17).

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