Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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The invention relate~ to a system and method for
introducing systemic treatment liquids into trees or
similar plants and, more particularly, to such a system
and method adapted to enable lay persons to treat trees
with systemic -treatment liquids which normally are dis-
pensed at toxic concentrations and require special handling
and/or the services of a licensed arborist.
Various apparatus and methods have been employed
for injecting nutritional liquids or liquids effective for
combating various diseases, insects, etc., into the vascular
system of trees and similar plants. Many commercially
available fungicides, insecticides and pesticides are
marketed at concentrations which are highly toxic to humans
and warm-blooded animals. Consequently, government
regulations prohibit their use by the average home owner
and frequently require the services of a licensed arborist
which often makes the cost of treatment prohibitive to many
potential users. The systemic fungicide *Lignansan BLP
marketed by Dupont and effective for combating the deva-
stating Dutch elm disease is an example of such a treat-
ment liquid.
In addition to this safety problem, most prior
art systems for injecting systemic treatment liquids into
trees are relatively expensive and/or require the services
of a professional arborist to insure that the treatment
liquid is properly administered. Such systems typically
employ injector assemblies which are inserted into holes
drilled circumerentially around the tree.
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In one type of prior art system, the injector
assembiles are connected to individual pressurized supply
containers or are connected to one or more common pressurized
supply contalners through a manifold arrangement. Examples
of systems of this type are disclosed in United States Patents
1,756,453, 3,254,449, 3,286,401, 3,295,254, 3,834,075 and 7
3,992,813.
In another type of prior art syst~m, proposed
primarily for either fertilizing trees or introducing a
coloring agent into trees, the injector assemblies are either
individually or collectively connected to an unpressurized
container which is suspended from the tree at a location above
the injector assembly so that the treatment liquid is introduced
into a tree by ~ravity. Examples of systems of this type
are disclosed in United States Patents 952,245, 1,682,750, .~ ~ .
1,740,484, 1,805,550 and 2,044,063. The systems disclosed in ~:
these patents, if used in connection with normally toxic
treatment liquids, require the user to dilute the liquid to . .~.
the prescribed concentration for treatment and, consequently, ~ :
could not be used by lay persons, and further rely on the
user's expertise to determ.ine the proper location of the
injector holes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A principal object of ths invention is to provide
a simple, reliable treating system and method which can be ~.
conveniently and safely used by the average home owner to
introduce systemic treatment liquids into trees and similar :
plants.
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Another of the princip~l objects of the inven~ion
is to provide such a system and method which does not require
the user to come into direct contact with the treatment liquid
and is substantially comple-tely closed after installation.
A further o~ the principal objects of the invention
is to provide such a system which is arranged to acilitate
the proper location of the injector holes without the use of
special tools and/or knowledge.
Other objects, aspects and advantages of the
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art
upon reviewing the following detailed description, the
drawing and the appended claims.
According to one aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a system for uniformly introducing systemic
treatment liquids into trees or similar plants, the system
includes a plurality of substantially identical tubular
injector nozzles, each adapted to be inserted into one of a
plurality of injector holes located in a tree at uniform
circumferential intervals and through which the treatment
liquid can be introduced into the tree. The systems also
has a plurality of substantially identical, sealed containers,
each containing a prescribed amount of the treatment liquid
at the prescribed concentration for a single treatment through
one of the injector holes. A plurality of substantially
identical, flexible, tubular connecting hose assemblies are
provided, each having a first end adapted for connection to
one of the containers and a second end adapted for connection
to one of the injector nozzles. A flexiblq support member
is adapted to be wrapped around the tree and secured thereto
at a location above the desired vertical location of the
injector holes, the support member including a plurality of
support means each of which is adapted for suspending one of
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the contai.ncrs ~rom t.hc~ suE)port rnembe:r.
Accordi.ncJ to another aspect o~E the present invention,
there is provided a method o:E i.ntroduclncJ a systemic treatment
liquid into a tree, the method including -the steps of
providing the plurality of substantially identical tubular
injector nozzles, the plurality of substantially identical
sealed containers, the flexible strap and fur-ther a plurality
of hook means, each having one end adapted to be hooked into
one of the strap apertures and the other end adapted for
suspending one of the containers therefrom. The mekhod ;
further includes the step of providing the tubular connecting
base assemblies which are in the form of connecting hose
assemblies which generally corresponds to the desired ver-tical -
spacing between the containers and the injector holes when
the strap is located at about eye level, each of the hose
assemblies including a first end adapted to fit snugly inside
of a container discharge passage and having a pointed outer
end puncturing a discharge opel~ing through a frangible
member normally closing the discharge passage as the first
end is inserted into the container discharge passage, and
further including a second end adapted for connection to the
injector nozzle. Valve means is provided on each of the hose
assemblies for selectively opening and closing the flow passage
therethrough. In the method, the strap is wrapped around the
tree and the strap is secured thereto at about eye level, and
the hook means is placed in each of a plu.rality of
aperatures spaced at predetermined intervals in the flexible
strap. A container is suspended from each of the hook means,
ancd the first end of the hose assembly is cbnnected to each
of the suspended contalners wi-th the valve means closed and
the second end conne~cted to the injector nozzle. Injector
holes are drilled into -the tree for receiving the injec-tor
nozzles at locations generally correspond:incJ to the location.
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of the seconcl en~ls oE the h-~c;e asser~Lies when the hose
assemblies are allo~ec-l to hang loosely from the containers.
A respective one of the injector noz~les is inser-ted into
each of the injector holes, and the valve means on each of
the hose assemblies is then opened.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a completely
assembled treatmen-t system embodying the invention shown
installed on a tree ready for introducing a sys-temic
treatment liquid into the tree.
Fig. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, section view
of a supply container and a hose assembly of the treatment
system shown in Fig. 1, illustrating these components prior
to connection.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, partially
sectioned view of a supply container, a hose assembly and
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an injector nozzle of the treatment system shown in Fig. 1,
illustrating these components after assembly and installa-
tion on a tree.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The treatment system and method embodying the
invention will be described in connection with injecting a
systemic liquid fungicide into the sap stream or vascular
system of a tree. However, the invention can be used to
introduce a wide variety of systemic treatment solutions .
containing insecticides, pesticides, nutrients and the
like into trees and similar plants. As used herein, the
term "systemic treatment liquid" means any solution which
is capable of being absorbed into or taken up by the sap
stre.am or vascular system of trees or similar plants and
translocated or distributed throughout by the natural
circulatory or capillary actlon.
Referring to the drawings, the treatment system
includes a plurality of substantially identical injector
nozzles 10, each of which is insertable into one of a
20. plurality of injector holes 12 drilled into a tree 14 at a
location near the ground 16 as described in more detail
below. The injector holes 12 usuaily are circumferentially
spaced at equal intervals around the tree 14.
Each of the injector nozzles 10 (see Fig. 3) has
a tubular body 18 including an outer end portion 20 which
has a circular cross section and is inserted into an
injector hole 12, a shoulder 22 which serves as a stop or
limiting penetration of the injector nozzle 10 into the
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injector hole 12 and an inner end portion 24. Ihe injector
nozzle 10 preferabl~ is made Erom a suitable synthecic
plastic material and the outer end portion 20 tapers slightly
~owards the outermost end to provide a friction fit with
the walls of the injector hole 12. For example, if a 5f32
inch drill is used for drilling the injector holes 12, the
outer end portion 20 tapers to a minimum outside diameter of
about 5l32 inch.
The treatment system also includes a plurality o~
substa~tially identical sealed containers 26 whieh preferably
are in the form of bags and aremade from a transparent or
translucent synthetic plastic material, such as polyvinyl
chlGride. Each of the containers 26 contains the prescrib d
amount of the systemic treatmene liquid 26 to be injected
into the tree l4 through an injector hole 12 for a slngle
treatment. As a guide, when an elm tree is to be treated
for Dutch elm disease with a solution of the ~unOicide
*Lignansan BLP, the Q.7% ~ungici~e.s~lution as p~chased i5
first diluted to a concentration of about 0.02% by adding
deionized (distilled) water thereto and each container is
filled with about 4.2 liters of this diluted solution and
then sealed closed in a conventional manner, such as by
sealing together the top po~eions of the ~ide walls with
an adhesive or by heat sealing~ The size of the containers
26 and the amount and concentration of the treatment liqu~d
28 introduced into each container will vary depending upon
the prescribed dosage ~or the particular systemic treatment
liquid being u~ed.
Located in the bottom portion of each of the
containers 26 is an integral disçharge conduit 30 which is
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sealed cLosed by a frangible member or membrane 32 spaced
inwardly from the outlet 34 of the dischàrge conduit 30.
Provided in the upper portion of each of the containers 26
is a hole 36 for hanging the container 26 from the tree 14
as explained below.
While various suitable container designs can be
used, commercially available bags used in the medical field
for administering interveinous liquids to patients are
particularly adaptable for this purpose.
The treatment system further includes a flexible
support member which is wrapped around ~he tree and secured
thereto at a location above the desired location of the
injector holes 12 and serves as a means for supporting the
~ containers 26. While various arrangements can be used, in
the specific embodiment illustrated, the support member is a
nylon strap or belt 38 having a conventional snap type clasp
or buckle 40. The belt 38 has a plurality of holes 42 which
are spaced at equal intervals generally corresponding to the
desired circumferential spacing of the injector holes 12 for
the particular treatment liquid to be used. For example,
when Lignansan BLP is being used, the belt holes 42 are
spaced approximately 6 inches apart which corresponds to the
recommended circumferential spacing of the injector holes 12
for this particular fungicide. The belt 38 preferably is
made long enough to accommodate trees having a circumference
of several feet and the buckle 40 permits the belt length
to be adjusted as required for trees having smaller
circumferences.
The treatment system further includes a plurality
- 30 of generally S-shaped hooks 4~ made from a suitable material
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such as a syntl~etic plastic material or metal. One end o~
each hook 44 fits into a belt hole 42 and the other end
fits into a container hole 36 to support the containers 26
from the belt 38 as shown in Fig. 1.
The treatment s~stem further includes a plurality
of substantially identical connecting hose assemblies 46
including a length of flexible tubing 48 which is preferably
made from a transparent or translucent synthetic plastic
material. The tubing 48 for all the hose assemblies 46
preferably is substantially the same predetermined length
generally corresponding to the desired vertical spacing
between the containers 26 and the injector holes 12. As a
guide, the tubing 48 is about 24 inches long for systems
. used to inject the fungicide Lignansan BLP.
One end of the tubing 48 fits snugly over the
inner end portion 24 of an injector nozzle 10 as best shown
in Fig. 3. Provided at the other end of the tubing 48 is
a connector 50 having a hollow or tubular body 52 including
an inner end portion 54 which fits snugly into the other end
of the tubing 48 as best shown in Fig. 2 and an outer end
portion 56 which fits snugly into a container discharge
conduit 30 and has a pointed tip 58. As the outer end
portion 56 of the connector 50 is inserted into the container
discharge conduit 30, the pointed tip 58 punctures the
membrane 32 and forms a discharge opening therein as shown
in Fig. 3.
The connector 50 preferably is provided with a
vent passage or por~ 60 which is op~n to atmosphere and
communicates with the interior of the container 26 after
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the connector 50 has been inser~ed into the container dis-
charge conduit 30 to puncture the membrane 32. Thus, the
vent port 60 provides a passage for venting the interior of
the container 26 to atmosphere, thereby insuring a constant
gravity flow of the treatment liquid 28 from the container 26
during treatment.
Carried on each of the hose assemblies 46 is a
hose clamp 62 which serves as a valve means for selectively
opening and closing the flow passage through the tubing 48.
In a preferred method for treating a tree,the
- belt 38 is first wrapped around the tree at about eye level
and the unbuckled end is then slipped through the buckle
40 and tightened. If desired, small nails, tacks, or the
like (not shown) can be driven through the belt 38 into the
tree 14 to more positively secure the belt 38 on the tree.
A hook 44 is then hooked into each of the remaining
accessible belt holes 42 and a container 26 is suspended
from each of the hooks 44. A hose assembly 46 is then
connected to each of the suspended containers 26, after the
hose clamp 62 has been tightened to the closed position, by
inserting the outer end portion 56 of the connector 50 into
the container discharge conduit 30 to puncture the membrane 32.
After the hose assembly 46 has been connected to
the container 26, the hose clamp 62 is loosened to allow a
few drops of the treatment liquid 28 to drip out through
the injector nozzle 10 as a check to insure there is proper
flow from the container 26. After this check, the hose
clamp 62 is tightened to the closed position and the hose
assembly 46 is allowed to hang loosely from the container 26.
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The lower end of the tubin~ 48 indicates the proper circum-
ferential and vertical location of the respective injector
hole 12.
An injector hole 12 is then drilled into the tree
for each of the injector nozzles 10. The injector holes 12
preferably are drilled horizontally into the tree to at
least the depth of the xylem or functional sapwood layers.
The ultimate depth of the injector holes 12 must be sufficient
to accommodate the outer end portion 20 of the injector nozzle
lO. It is desirable to keep the depth and diameter of the
injector holes 12 as small as possible in order to minimize
wounding of the tree. As a guide, it has been found that
the outer end portion 20 of the injector nozzle lO can be
abou~ 3/8 inch long and have an outside diameter of about
5/32 inch.
The injector-nozzle 10 is pushed into an injection
hole 12 until the shoulder 22 is snug against the tree and
the hose clamp 62 is loosened to start gravity flow of the
treatment liquid 28 from the containers 26. When the
containers 26 have emptied, all the components are removed
from the tree and the containers 26 are discarded. The
remaining components can be reused if desired, in which case
the user needs only to purchase replacement containers
containing the treatment liquid to be used.
From the above description, it can be seen that
the treatment system and method provided by the present
invention provides several important advantages. First,
the treatment system employs simply constructed components
which can be made from relatively inexpensive materials,
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thereby permitting the overall cost to be minimized. Second,
the treatment liquid is prepackaged in sealed containers in
the prescribed amount and concentration for treatment,
thereby eliminating the necessity for the user to mix and
handle normally toxic liquids with the attendant safety
hazards and calibration problems. Third, after installation
on a tree, the treatment system is completely closed, except
for the vent ports, thereby eliminating, or at least
~inimizing, entrance of contaminants and possible exposure
of the treatment liquid to children and pets. Fourth, the
installed treatment system is substantially tamper proof
to children. Fifth, the procedure involved in installing
and using the treatment system is simple enough so that the
average home owner can treat trees without any special
training or tools, thereby eliminating the su~stantial
expense for the services of a licensed arborist.
Thus, it is contemplated that a treatment system
of the invention employing various normally toxic treatment
liquids can be sold in kit form to home owners and other
unskilled lay persons through various convenient retail
outlets in full compliance with existing government regulations.
For different types of treatment liquids and trees in
dierent size ranges, there can be provided separate kits
con~aining the appropriate number and size containers,
; 25 injector nozzles and hose assemblies and a belt having holes
; located at intervals generally corresponding to the desired
circumferential spacing of the injector holes for the
particular treatment liquid. For a subsequent treatment, any
containers left over from a previous treatment, if any, can
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be used and a suicient number of replacement containers
necessary for the particular size tree can be purchased
without purchasing an entire kit.
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