Plant care spray applicator

Abstract

This invention relates to a plant care spray applicator (1), more particularly but not exclusively to a device designed for delivering liquid treatments (10) such as herbicides, pesticides and nutrients via a controlled spray in an enclosed space around a plant (7) or the area immediately surrounding the plant (7). The plant care spray applicator (1) comprises a body (2) having a spray chamber (3) with an operatively lower spray -chamber opening (4), and a plant-receiving chamber (5) arranged within the spray chamber (3) for covering and receiving the plant (7) through an operatively lower plant-receiving opening (6). A spray assembly (8) is configured to spray a liquid substance (10) into the spray chamber (3). In certain embodiments a fan is positioned within the spray chamber (3) and is configured to operate after a spray cycle to remove residual mist or droplets to reduce drift, and an electronic control unit (20) is provided to control spraying and other electronic functions.

Description

[0001] PLANT CARE SPRAY APPLICATOR

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates to plant care spray applicator more particularly, but not exclusively to a device specifically designed for delivering liquid treatments such as herbicides, pesticides and nutrients via spray applicator in an enclosed space to a plant to the area surrounding a plant.

[0004] BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0005] As is known in the art, herbicide spray applicators are specifically designed to improve the application of herbicides around seedlings to prevent post-emergent and pre- emergent weeds and invasive plants, commonly encountered in commercial forestry. After planting new seedlings, weeds and invasive plants can grow rapidly, suppressing the development of the seedlings if not effectively managed. The most common practice for controlling these weeds and preventing competition is the use of herbicides applied directly to the foliage of unwanted vegetation. However, current methods for herbicide application are outdated, labour-intensive, and expensive, presenting several operational challenges.

[0006] In large-scale forestry operations, vast hectares of plantations must be manually sprayed by labourers carrying knapsack sprayers. These workers not only transport the herbicide but must also apply it accurately to the targeted areas. Since operators spray based on their judgment, there is no consistent calibration, meaning chemical and water application rates per hectare often do not align with product label instructions. This lack of controlled treatment creates inefficiencies, leading to over- or under-application of chemicals, resulting in wastage, increased costs, and uneven weed control. Moreover, the need to transport large volumes of water to the fields — often from distant sources — adds significant logistical and financial burdens.

[0007] Manual spraying systems also rely on open nozzles, making them highly susceptible to spray drift. Drift occurs when small droplets of herbicide are carried away by airflow or wind, causing the chemicals to land beyond the intended treatment area. This can damage newly planted seedlings, impact surrounding ecosystems, and contaminate rivers, streams, and environmentally sensitive areas. Drift poses a serious environmental threat and diminishes the effectiveness of the treatment, often leaving patches of untreated weeds that continue to compete with the seedlings for water, nutrients, and sunlight.

[0008] Spray operations must be carefully timed to avoid windy conditions, limiting the available spraying windows. This constraint results in fewer spray days during the growing season, often causing contractors to fall behind and leave vast areas untreated. When weeds are not managed promptly, they grow to more advanced stages, requiring multiple herbicide treatments for effective control, as mature plants are more resistant to herbicides. This delay drives up operational costs and chemical usage, creating further economic strain.

[0009] The cumulative effect of these limitations is that conventional spraying methods are inaccurate, inconsistent, and increasingly inefficient, making it difficult to meet the demands of modern forestry operations. A more precise and controlled applicator is essential to address these challenges, ensuring the timely and efficient management of weeds and invasive plants around seedlings.

[0010] Similar to herbicide spraying around seedlings, there is also a critical need to manage regrowth from tree stumps following harvest. When mature trees are felled, the stumps produce coppice shoots, which compete directly with new seedlings for resources. If left unchecked, this regrowth can quickly become too strong to control with a single herbicide treatment, requiring multiple sprays and increasing operational costs. Delayed treatment further complicates management efforts, as regrowth demands higher herbicide doses to achieve the desired effect.

[0011] A solution that addresses both the control of weeds and the suppression of regrowth must improve herbicide delivery while reducing spray drift. This ensures more precise applications, minimizes environmental risks, and maximizes the survival rate of new seedlings. By optimizing herbicide use and limiting water and chemical wastage, forestry operations can reduce costs, improve efficiency, and protect nearby ecosystems.

[0012] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0013] It is an object of this invention to provide a plant care spray applicator which, at least partially, alleviates some of the above-mentioned difficulties. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In accordance with this invention there is provided a plant care spray applicator comprising a body with a spray chamber, the spray chamber having an operatively lower spray chamber opening and a plant receiving chamber arranged within the spray chamber for covering and receiving a plant through an operatively lower plant receiving opening and a spray assembly to spray a liquid substance into the spray chamber.

[0015] The plant care spray applicator wherein at least part of the surface surrounding the plant may engage with the spray chamber opening to inhibit fluid flow between the spray chamber and the outside world.

[0016] The plant care spray applicator wherein at least part of the surface surrounding the plant may engage with the plant receiving chamber opening to inhibit fluid flow between the plant receiving chamber and the spray chamber.

[0017] The plant care spray applicator wherein the plant receiving chamber may act as an exclusion zone from liquid sprayed into the spray chamber.

[0018] The plant care spray applicator wherein the plant receiving chamber may have an operatively upper opening.

[0019] The plant care spray applicator wherein a fan is positioned within the spray chamber and configured to operate after a spray cycle to generate an airflow that removes or dissipates residual mist or droplets within the spray chamber, thereby reducing drift when the applicator is removed from the plant area.

[0020] The plant care spray applicator wherein the spray assembly may include a feeding tube assembly connected to or forming part of the spray assembly.

[0021] The plant care spray applicator wherein the feeding tube assembly may consist of any number of tubes may convey any number of liquids to be sprayed.

[0022] The plant care spray applicator wherein the feeding tube assembly may be used to convey liquids from a reservoir which does not permanently form part of the plant care spray applicator. The plant care spray applicator wherein couplings connect the tube assembly to the reservoir or to tubes connected to the reservoir.

[0023] The plant care spray applicator wherein solenoids may be used to prohibit or allow for fluid flow through the tube assembly.

[0024] The plant care spray applicator wherein the reservoir is a knapsack carried by a user.

[0025] The plant care spray applicator may include a central processing unit which forms part of an electronic control unit.

[0026] The plant care spray applicator may include a programmable logic controller which forms part of an electronic control unit.

[0027] The plant care spray applicator may include a power source which forms part of an electronic control unit. The power source may be rechargeable.

[0028] The plant care spray applicator wherein the control unit may control the flow of the liquid through the feeding tube assembly.

[0029] The plant care spray applicator wherein the control unit may include a communications means such as a Bluetooth, WiFi, GSM, LoRaWAN or any other appropriate radio signal transmitter, responder or receiver the invention is not limited in this regard.

[0030] The plant care spray applicator wherein the control unit may be pre-programmed to perform specific tasks at specific times or intervals.

[0031] The plant care spray applicator wherein the control unit may make use of an input device to receive instructions on how to perform tasks.

[0032] The plant care spray applicator wherein the control unit may make use of external instructions on how to perform tasks.

[0033] The plant care spray applicator wherein the external instructions may be inputted into the control unit via a mobile application or any other appropriate software. The plant care spray applicator wherein the control unit may be in communication with a global positioning system (GPS).

[0034] The plant care spray applicator wherein the control unit may include any other sensors which may be used to collect data regarding the area surrounding the applicator.

[0035] The plant care spray applicator wherein the control unit may be connected to sensors inside of the body which may relay location information of a target to the control unit.

[0036] The plant care spray applicator wherein the target may be an unwanted plant, animal or insect.

[0037] The plant care spray applicator wherein the control unit may be connected to an aiming device which will encourage targeted spray from the spray assembly onto the target.

[0038] The plant care spray applicator wherein the substance may be any type of substance: an agricultural chemical, a nutritional product, biological product, a neutral substance, water, etc.

[0039] The plant care spray applicator wherein the plant receiving chamber may have a secondary spray assembly to spray a substance specific to the plant in the plant receiving chamber.

[0040] In accordance with this invention there is further provided an enclosed spray applicator having a body with a spray chamber, the spray chamber having an operatively lower spray chamber opening and a spray assembly to spray a liquid substance into the spray chamber and an electronic control unit.

[0041] The enclosed spray applicator wherein the spray assembly may include a feeding tube assembly connected to or forming part of the spray assembly.

[0042] The enclosed spray applicator wherein the feeding tube assembly may consist of any number of tubes may convey any number of liquids to be sprayed. The enclosed spray applicator wherein the feeding tube assembly may be used to convey liquids from a reservoir which does not permanently form part of the enclosed spray applicator.

[0043] The enclosed spray applicator wherein couplings connect the tube assembly to the reservoir or to tubes connected to the reservoir.

[0044] The enclosed spray applicator wherein solenoids may be used to prohibit or allow for fluid flow through the tube assembly.

[0045] The enclosed spray applicator may include a central processing unit which forms part of an electronic control unit.

[0046] The enclosed spray applicator may include a programmable logic controller which forms part of an electronic control unit.

[0047] The enclosed spray applicator may include a power source which forms part of an electronic control unit. The power source may be rechargeable or make use of external energy such as solar.

[0048] The enclosed spray applicator wherein the control unit may control the flow of the liquid through the feeding tube assembly.

[0049] The enclosed spray applicator wherein the control unit may include a communications means such as a Bluetooth, WiFi, GSM, LoRaWAN or any other appropriate radio signal transmitter, responder or receiver the invention is not limited in this regard.

[0050] The enclosed spray applicator wherein the control unit may be pre-programmed to perform specific tasks at specific times or intervals.

[0051] The enclosed spray applicator wherein the control unit may make use of an input device to receive instructions on how to perform tasks.

[0052] The enclosed spray applicator wherein the control unit may make use of external instructions on how to perform tasks. The enclosed spray applicator wherein the external instructions may be inputted into the control unit via a mobile application or any other appropriate software.

[0053] The enclosed spray applicator wherein the control unit may be in communication with a global positioning system (GPS).

[0054] The enclosed spray applicator wherein the control unit may include any other sensors which may be used to collect data regarding the area surrounding the applicator.

[0055] The enclosed spray applicator wherein the control unit may be connected to sensors inside of the body which may relay location information of a target to the control unit.

[0056] The enclosed spray applicator wherein the target may be an unwanted plant, animal or insect.

[0057] The enclosed spray applicator wherein the control unit may be connected to an aiming device which will encourage targeted spray from the spray assembly onto the target.

[0058] These and other features of the invention are described in more detail below.

[0059] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060] One embodiment of the invention is described below, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings in which:

[0061] Figure 1 shows a plant care spray applicator;

[0062] Figure 2 shows the plant care spray applicator of figure 1 in a sectional view;

[0063] Figure 3 shows the plant care spray applicator of figure 1 and figure 2 together with a schematic representation of a spray assembly;

[0064] Figure 4 shows the plant care spray applicator of figure 1 in use; and Figure 5 shows the plant care spray applicator of figure 1 with an additional spray assembly.

[0065] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] The following detailed description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. For purposes of explanation, specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required to practice the invention. Descriptions of specific applications are provided only as representative examples. Various modifications to the preferred embodiments will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope of the invention. The present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest possible scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

[0067] With reference to the drawings, a plant care spray applicator is generally depicted by reference numeral 1 .

[0068] The plant care spray applicator 1 has a body 2 which resembles an inverted bucket shape.

[0069] The body has a spray chamber 3 which has an opening 4 at an operatively lower end.

[0070] The body has a plant receiving chamber 5 which has an opening 6 at an operatively lower end for covering and receiving a plant 7 through an operatively

[0071] A spray assembly 8 forms part of the body and has nozzles 9 towards an interior of the spray chamber to spray a liquid substance 10 into an interior 11 of the spray chamber.

[0072] The substance 10 is a poisonous substance, in this case it can be a herbicide or a pesticide. A combination of both the herbicide and the pesticide may be sprayed from separate / dual spray assemblies. After use or to prepare the plant care spray applicator 1 after being airlocked after maintenance the the spray assembly 8 is bled with water or any other neutral substance in order to bleed the spray assembly 8 as it will not function with air in the system.

[0073] The plant care spray applicator 1 is placed over a plant 7 onto the surface 12 surrounding the plant 7. The openings 4 of the spray chamber 3 creates a seal between the interior 11 and the surface 12. This seal is to inhibit fluid flow between the spray chamber 3 and the outside world.

[0074] The surface closer to the plant 7 engages with and seals the plant receiving chamber 5 off from the interior 11 of the spray chamber 3 to inhibit fluid flow between the plant receiving chamber 5 and the spray chamber 3. This seal creates an exclusion zone in the plant receiving chamber 5 and prevents the substance sprayed into the spray chamber 3 from coming into contact with the plant 7. The plant receiving chamber 5 has an operatively upper opening to allow for the plant 7 to protrude from the body 2 should the length of the plant 7 be higher than the height of the body 2.

[0075] The plant care spray applicator wherein the spray assembly 8 may include a feeding tube assembly 13 connected to or forming part of the spray assembly 8.

[0076] The feeding tube assembly 13 consists of two tubes 14 which conveys any number of liquids to be sprayed. These liquids are conveyed from a reservoir 15 which does not permanently form part of the plant care spray applicator.

[0077] Couplings 16 connect the tube assembly 13 to the reservoir 15 or to tubes 17 connected to the reservoir 15.

[0078] The plant care spray applicator wherein solenoids 18 are used to prohibit or allow for fluid flow through the tube assembly 13.

[0079] A central processing unit forms part of an electronic control unit 20 which, amongst other operations, control the flow of the liquid through the feeding tube assembly 13.

[0080] The control unit 20 has its own power source which is rechargeable.

[0081] The control unit includes communications means such as a Bluetooth, WiFi, GSM, LoRaWAN or any other appropriate radio signal transmitter, responder or receiver. The control unit functions automatically, however it may be pre-programmed or receive input externally by means of a keypad or a mobile application.

[0082] Sensors such as global positioning system (GPS), cameras or other data collectors are used to collect atmospheric and physical information from within the body 2 or from the outside world.

[0083] The plant care spray applicator 1 may also have a secondary spray assembly 19 which may be used to spray a further substance which is specific to the plant in the plant receiving chamber. This can be used to spray fertiliser or a similar product onto the plant which is to be excluded from the poisonous substances.

[0084] In another embodiment an enclosed spray applicator having a body with a spray chamber, an operatively lower spray chamber opening, a spray assembly to spray a liquid substance into the spray chamber and an electronic control unit is provided for.

[0085] The spray assembly may include a feeding tube assembly connected to or forming part of the spray assembly to convey any number of liquids to be sprayed in the interior of the enclosed spray applicator from a reservoir which does not permanently form part of the enclosed spray applicator. Couplings could connect the tube assembly to the reservoir or to tubes connected to the reservoir.

[0086] Solenoids may be used to prohibit or allow for fluid flow through the tube assembly and a central processing unit which forms part of an electronic control unit. Programmable logic controllers (PLC) forms part of an electronic control unit and the control unit may be powered by any sort of power source such as a battery that is rechargeable or make use of external energy such as solar.

[0087] The control unit will as such electronically control the flow of the liquid through the feeding tube assembly.

[0088] The control unit may include a communications means such as a Bluetooth, WiFi, GSM, LoRaWAN or any other appropriate radio signal transmitter, responder or receiver the invention is not limited in this regard. The control unit functions automatically, however it may be pre-programmed or receive input externally by means of a keypad or a mobile application.

[0089] Sensors such as global positioning system (GPS), cameras or other data collectors are used to collect atmospheric and physical information from within the body or from the outside world.

[0090] The applicators may be connected to sensors inside of the body which may relay location information of a target to the control unit, the target may be an unwanted plant, animal or insect. The control unit may be connected to an aiming device which will encourage targeted spray from the spray assembly onto the target.

[0091] It should be understood that in some embodiments, the plant care spray applicator may include a fan or air-movement device mounted inside the spray chamber. The fan is activated automatically or manually after completion of a spray cycle. The airflow produced by the fan clears suspended droplets or mist from within the spray chamber, ensuring that the interior environment is substantially free of residual aerosols before the applicator is lifted or repositioned. This reduces the risk of herbicide drift and further improves containment efficiency.

[0092] It is envisaged that incorporating the concepts described herein to form part of all new plant spraying devices. This should have a significant improvement over the existing methods of performing the task of spraying for weeds or pests.

[0093] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the precise details as described or shown herein and that many other embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A plant care spray applicator comprising a body with a spray chamber, the spray chamber having an operatively lower spray chamber opening, and a plant receiving chamber arranged within the spray chamber for covering and receiving a plant through an operatively lower plant receiving opening, and a spray assembly configured to spray a liquid substance into the spray chamber.

2. The plant care spray applicator according to claim 1 , wherein at least part of a surface surrounding the plant engages with the spray-chamber opening to inhibit fluid flow between the spray chamber and the outside environment.

3. The plant care spray applicator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least part of a surface surrounding the plant engages with the plant receiving-chamber opening to inhibit fluid flow between the plant receiving chamber and the spray chamber.

4. The plant care spray applicator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plant receiving chamber defines an exclusion zone that prevents liquid sprayed within the spray chamber from contacting the plant.

5. The plant care spray applicator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plant receiving chamber has an operatively upper opening through which a portion of the plant may extend.

6. The plant care spray applicator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a fan is positioned within the spray chamber and is configured to operate after a spray cycle to remove residual mist or droplets from the spray chamber to reduce drift.

7. The plant care spray applicator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the spray assembly includes a feeding-tube assembly connected to or forming part of the spray assembly.

8. The plant care spray applicator according to claim 7, wherein the feeding-tube assembly comprises one or more tubes configured to convey one or more liquids to be sprayed.

9. The plant care spray applicator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the feeding-tube assembly is configured to convey liquid from a reservoir that does not permanently form part of the spray applicator.

10. The plant care spray applicator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein couplings connect the tube assembly to the reservoir or to tubes connected to the reservoir.

11. The plant care spray applicator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein solenoids are provided to selectively prohibit or allow fluid flow through the tube assembly.

12. The plant care spray applicator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the reservoir is a knapsack carried by a user.

13. The plant care spray applicator according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an electronic control unit including a central processing unit.

14. The plant care spray applicator according to claim 13, wherein the electronic control unit includes a programmable logic controller.

15. The plant care spray applicator according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the electronic control unit includes a rechargeable power source.

16. The plant care spray applicator according to any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the electronic control unit controls the flow of liquid through the feeding-tube assembly.

17. The plant care spray applicator according to any of claims 6 to 16, wherein operation of the fan is controlled by the electronic control unit.

18. The plant care spray applicator according to any of claims 13 to 17, wherein the electronic control unit includes a communications means selected from Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GSM, or LoRaWAN.

19. The plant care spray applicator according to any of claims 13 to 18, wherein the electronic control unit is pre-programmed to perform specific tasks at specific times or intervals.

20. The plant care spray applicator according to any of claims 13 to 19, wherein the electronic control unit receives external instructions via an input device or a mobile application.

21. The plant care spray applicator according to any of claims 13 to 20, wherein the electronic control unit is in communication with a global positioning system (GPS).

22. The plant care spray applicator according to any of claims 13 to 21, wherein the electronic control unit includes one or more sensors configured to collect data regarding the area surrounding the applicator.

23. The plant care spray applicator according to any of claims 13 to 22, wherein the electronic control unit is connected to sensors inside the body that relay location information of a target to the control unit.

24. The plant care spray applicator according to any of claims 13 to 23, wherein the target is an unwanted plant, animal, or insect.

25. The plant care spray applicator according to any of claims 13 to 24, wherein the electronic control unit is connected to an aiming device configured to encourage targeted spraying from the spray assembly onto the target.

26. The plant care spray applicator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid substance comprises an agricultural chemical, nutritional product, biological product, neutral substance, or water.

27. The plant care spray applicator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plant receiving chamber includes a secondary spray assembly configured to spray a substance specific to the plant received in the plant receiving chamber.

28. An enclosed spray applicator comprising a body having a spray chamber with an operatively lower spray-chamber opening, a spray assembly configured to spray a liquid substance into the spray chamber, and an electronic control unit configured to control spraying operations.

29. The enclosed spray applicator according to claim 28, wherein the spray assembly includes a feeding-tube assembly connected to or forming part of the spray assembly.

30. The enclosed spray applicator according to any of claims 28 to 29, wherein the feeding-tube assembly comprises one or more tubes configured to convey one or more liquids to be sprayed.

31. The enclosed spray applicator according to any of claims 28 to 30, wherein the feeding-tube assembly is configured to convey liquid from a reservoir that does not permanently form part of the enclosed spray applicator.

32. The enclosed spray applicator according to any of claims 28 to 31 , wherein couplings connect the tube assembly to the reservoir or to tubes connected to the reservoir.

33. The enclosed spray applicator according to any of claims 28 to 32, wherein solenoids are provided to selectively prohibit or allow fluid flow through the tube assembly.

34. The enclosed spray applicator according to any of claims 28 to 33, wherein the electronic control unit includes a central processing unit.

35. The enclosed spray applicator according to any of claims 28 to 34, wherein the electronic control unit includes a programmable logic controller.

36. The enclosed spray applicator according to any of claims 28 to 35, wherein the electronic control unit includes a rechargeable power source or a power source configured to use solar energy.

37. The enclosed spray applicator according to any of claims 28 to 36, wherein the electronic control unit controls the flow of liquid through the feeding-tube assembly.

38. The enclosed spray applicator according to any of claims 28 to 37, wherein the electronic control unit includes a communications means selected from Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GSM, or LoRaWAN.

39. The enclosed spray applicator according to any of claims 28 to 38, wherein the electronic control unit is pre-programmed to perform specific tasks at specific times or intervals.

40. The enclosed spray applicator according to any of claims 28 to 39, wherein the electronic control unit receives external instructions via an input device or a mobile application.

41. The enclosed spray applicator according to any of claims 28 to 40, wherein the electronic control unit is in communication with a global positioning system (GPS).

42. The enclosed spray applicator according to any of claims 28 to 41 , wherein the electronic control unit includes one or more sensors configured to collect data regarding the area surrounding the applicator.

43. The enclosed spray applicator according to any of claims 28 to 42, wherein the electronic control unit is connected to sensors inside the body that relay location information of a target to the control unit.

44. The enclosed spray applicator according to any of claims 28 to 43, wherein the target is an unwanted plant, animal, or insect.

5. The enclosed spray applicator according to any of claims 28 to 44, wherein the electronic control unit is connected to an aiming device configured to encourage targeted spraying from the spray assembly onto the target.

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