Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02827395 2013-09-16
CANADIAN PATENT APPLICATION
FOR
CARTRIDGE CONTAINING A PLANT-TREATMENT FORMULATION, AND
RELATED METHODS
Inventors: Lorelei Hepburn
(RESIDENCE: CDN,
CITIZENSHIP: CDN)
Jon Barnes
(RESIDENCE: CDN,
CITIZENSHIP: CDN)
B&P ref. no.: 13067-P44660CA00
Version: As Filed
Date: Sept. 16, 2013
CA 02827395 2013-09-16
TITLE: CARTRIDGE CONTAINING A PLANT-TREATMENT
FORMULATION, AND RELATED METHODS
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of cartridges for
plant-treatment
product sprayers and related methods.
INTRODUCTION
[0002] Plant-treatment products, such as pesticides, fertilizers, and
other soil
amendments, are commonly used to enhance the growth of plants for which they
are
applied. In recent years, consumer environmental awareness and government
regulation
against toxic chemicals have contributed to a rise in demand for natural,
organic plant-
treatment products, and especially pesticides.
SUMMARY
[0003] In a first aspect, there is a cartridge for a liquid reservoir of a
plant-treatment
product sprayer. The cartridge may comprise a liquid permeable pouch defining
a pre-
sealed internal volume, and a plant-treatment formulation in the internal
volume.
[0004] In some embodiments, the plant-treatment formulation may
comprise
nematodes and a carrier formulation.
[0005] In some embodiments, the liquid permeable pouch may comprise a
plurality
of pores which provide the liquid permeability of the pouch, and each of the
plurality of
pores may be sized small enough to prevent passage of particles large enough
to clog the
sprayer.
[0006] In some embodiments, a size of each of the plurality of pores
may be less
than 2mm.
[0007] In some embodiments, a size of each of the plurality of pores
may be
between 1.5mm and 2mm.
[0008] In some embodiments, the pouch may be flexible.
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[0009] In some embodiments, the cartridge may further comprise a
string extending
from the liquid permeable pouch for handling the cartridge without touching
the pouch.
[0010] In some embodiments, the pouch may comprise a woven material
of fine
filaments.
[0011] In some embodiments, the pouch may be biodegradable and may comprise
polylactic acid.
[0012] In some embodiments, the nematodes may comprise
entompathogenic
nematodes.
[0013] In some embodiments, the plant-treatment formulation may
comprise at least
one of a pesticide, a fertilizer, and a soil amendment.
[0014] In some embodiments, the carrier formulation may comprise
vermiculite.
[0015] In some embodiments, the cartridge may further comprise a
vapor-permeable
packaging enclosing the pouch, the pouch being removable from the packaging
prior to
use.
[0016] In some embodiments, the vapor-permeability of the packaging may be
provided by a hole pierced in the packaging and a remainder of the packaging
may be
vapor-impermeable.
[0017] In another aspect, there is provided a method of providing a
plant-treatment
formulation to a liquid reservoir of a plant-treatment product sprayer. The
method may
comprise depositing a cartridge into the liquid reservoir, the cartridge
including a liquid
permeable pouch defining a pre-sealed internal volume, and a plant-treatment
formulation
in the internal volume; and at least partially filling the liquid reservoir
with a liquid, the liquid
permeating the pouch and carrying the plant-treatment formulation out of the
pouch.
[0018] In some embodiments, the method may further comprise
agitating the
cartridge at least partially submerged in the liquid to encourage the plant-
treatment
formulation to exit the pouch with the liquid.
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[0019] In some embodiments, the method may further comprise before
depositing
the cartridge, removing the cartridge from a vapor-permeable packaging
enclosing the
pouch.
[0020] In some embodiments, the plant-treatment formulation may
comprise
nematodes and a carrier formulation.
[0021] In some embodiments, the plant-treatment formulation may
comprise at least
one of a pesticide, a fertilizer, and a soil amendment.
[0022] In some embodiments, the liquid permeable pouch may comprise
a plurality
of pores which provide the liquid permeability of the pouch, and each of the
plurality of
pores is sized small enough to prevent passage of particles large enough to
clog the
sprayer.
[0023] In another aspect, there is provided a cartridge for
dispensing a plant-
treatment formulation. The cartridge may comprise a pouch containing the plant-
treatment
formulation, the plant-treatment formulation including one or more carrier
components and
one or more active components, the pouch configured to filter the one or more
carrier
components and allow passage of the one or more active components.
[0024] In some embodiments, the one or more active components
includes a
plurality of nematodes.
DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 shows a side elevation view of a prior art plant-
treatment product
sprayer;
[0026] FIG. 2 shows a front elevation view of a cartridge for a
liquid reservoir of a
plant-treatment product sprayer, in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the cartridge of FIG. 2, in accordance
with at least
one embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the cartridge of FIG.
2, taken along the
line 4-4 in Figure 2;
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[0029] FIG. 5 shows the cartridge of FIG. 2 deposited into the
liquid reservoir of the
plant-treatment product sprayer of FIG. 1;
[0030] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a cartridge for a liquid
reservoir of a plant-
treatment product sprayer, in accordance with another embodiment;
[0031] FIG. 7 shows the cartridge of FIG. 6 in a compacted state, in
accordance with
at least one embodiment;
[0032] FIG. 8 shows the cartridge of FIG. 2 in a plastic bag;
[0033] FIG. 9 shows a side view of the cartridge of FIG. 2 being
deposited into the
liquid reservoir of a plant-treatment product sprayer;
[0034] FIG. 10 shows a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a plant-
treatment
product to a liquid reservoir of a plant-treatment product sprayer, in
accordance with at
least one embodiment;
[0035] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a back pack sprayer, in
accordance with
at least one example embodiment; and
[0036] FIG. 12 shows a side elevation view of a trailer tank sprayer, in
accordance
with at least one example embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS
[0037] Various apparatuses or processes will be described below to
provide an
example of an embodiment of each claimed subject matter. No embodiment
described
below limits any claimed subject matter and any claimed subject matter may
cover
processes or apparatuses that differ from those described below. The claimed
subject
matter are not limited to apparatuses or processes having all of the features
of any one
apparatus or process described below or to features common to multiple or all
of the
apparatuses or processes described below. It is possible that an apparatus or
process
described below is not an embodiment that is recited in any claimed subject
matter. Any
subject matter disclosed in an apparatus or process described herein that is
not claimed in
this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for
example, a
continuing patent application, and the applicants, inventors or owners do not
intend to
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abandon, disclaim or dedicate to the public any such subject matter by its
disclosure in this
document.
[0038] Furthermore, it will be appreciated that for simplicity and
clarity of illustration,
where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the
figures to
indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific
details are
set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments
described
herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art
that the
embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details.
In other
instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been
described in
detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. Also, the
description is not
to be considered as limiting the scope of the example embodiments described
herein in any
way, but rather as merely describing the implementation of various embodiments
as
described.
[0039] The terms "an embodiment," "embodiment," "embodiments," "the
embodiment," "the embodiments," "one or more embodiments," "some embodiments,"
and
"one embodiment" mean "one or more (but not all) embodiments of the present
invention(s)," unless expressly specified otherwise.
[0040] The terms "including," "comprising" and variations thereof
mean "including but
not limited to," unless expressly specified otherwise. A listing of items does
not imply that
any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified
otherwise. The
terms "a," "an" and "the" mean "one or more," unless expressly specified
otherwise.
[0041] FIG. 1 shows a side elevation view of a prior art plant-
treatment product
sprayer 100 for applying plant-treatment formulation to soil and/or plants for
the benefit of
plants. Some examples of plant-treatment product sprayers include, but are not
limited to,
Scotts Miracle Gro Feeder , Gilmour Fertilizing Feeder Model 405, RL Flo-
Master Back
Pack Sprayer Model 614, and Agrimax Professional Trailer Sprayer Model
STT5512V,
Daltmeier (50-500 gallon) Skid Mounted Sprayer, and Kings 200 Gallon Pest
Control Skid
Sprayer.
[0042] As used herein for the various embodiments and in the claims,
the term
"plant" includes all species of plantae, bacteria, and fungi. Further, as used
herein and in
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the claims, the term "plant treatment formulation" includes pesticides
(including but not
limited to water soluble and water insoluble pesticides, herbicides,
insecticides, fungicides
and plant growth regulators, miticides), microbes, fertilizers, and soil
amendments. One
example plant-treatment formulation includes a mixture of nematodes and a
carrier
formulation. Certain species of nematodes (e.g. entompathogenic nematodes),
are used in
organic pesticides because they are hostile to some varieties of garden pests.
In some
embodiments, the carrier formulation provides the nematodes in a storage
medium
designed to mimic their typical soil habitat. The carrier may also keep the
nematodes in
solution during the storage period prior to release.
[0043] In general, a plant-treatment product sprayer 100 typically receives
liquid (e.g.
water) from a liquid source (e.g. a water tank or municipal water supply),
mixes the liquid
with a plant-treatment formulation, and sprays the mixture of liquid and plant-
treatment
formulation onto targeted soil pests and/or plants. In the example shown,
plant-treatment
product sprayer 100 includes a liquid inlet 102, a liquid reservoir 104, and
an outlet nozzle
106. Liquid inlet 102 in this example is configured to fluidly couple with a
liquid source for
receiving liquid therefrom. As shown, liquid inlet 102 includes a coupling 108
for
connecting to a hose 110 of a liquid source. In other examples, plant-
treatment product
sprayer 100 includes an integral hose 110 which can be coupled to, or is
itself integral with,
a liquid source.
[0044] In use, liquid reservoir 104 of plant-treatment product sprayer 100
is removed,
at least partially filled with liquid 112 (e.g. water) and plant-treatment
formulation 114, and
then reinserted back into its proper working location for use. Next in this
example, plant-
treatment product sprayer 100 is activated, whereby liquid 112 from a liquid
source (not
shown) enters plant-treatment product sprayer 100 at liquid inlet 102, flows
into liquid
reservoir 104, and entrains plant-treatment formulation 114, before spraying
out of outlet
nozzle 106. In the example shown, plant-treatment product sprayer 100 includes
a lever
116 for selectively activating plant-treatment product sprayer 100. Lever 116
can be
engaged by pulling upwards and released, in this example, to selectively open
and close
the liquid flow path between liquid inlet 112 and liquid reservoir 104.
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.. . .
[0045]
In the example shown, the liquid flow path between liquid reservoir
104 and
nozzle 106 includes an uptake conduit 118 which extends into liquid reservoir
104. In this
example, the uptake conduit 118 is a straw. When plant-treatment product
sprayer 100 is
activated in this example, a mixture of liquid 112 and plant-treatment
formulation 114 flows
through uptake conduit 118 before spraying out of outlet nozzle 106. Different
plant-
treatment product sprayers may be configured differently and may not include
an uptake
conduit 118 or may have a different structure.
[0046]
As mentioned above, liquid reservoir 104 is partially pre-filled with
plant-
treatment formulation 114. In some cases, loose plant-treatment formulation
114 is poured
into liquid reservoir 104.
However, some plant-treatment formulations 114 include
components, such as clay, vermiculite, coir, peat, or polymers, etc., which
have been found
to form clumps and clog the liquid flow path between liquid reservoir 104 and
nozzle 106.
For example, FIG. 1 shows a clump 120 of plant-treatment formulation 114
creating a
blockage in uptake conduit 118. When the liquid flow path between liquid
reservoir 104
and outlet nozzle 106 is clogged, the flow rate through this liquid flow path
and the spray
out of outlet nozzle 106 is reduced, or worse halted. In some cases, restoring
the flow rate
inconveniently requires the user to deactivate plant-treatment product sprayer
100, remove
the liquid reservoir 104 and manually clear the blockage.
[0047]
Some plant-treatment formulations 114 lose effectiveness when
overexposed
to liquid 112. For example, some plant-treatment formulations include living
organisms,
such as nematodes. However, some organisms, such as nematodes, will drown if
they
remain in liquid for too long (e.g. 30 minutes or more). In some cases, delays
created by
the blockages described above, can cause some of plant-treatment formulation
114 to
remain in liquid 112 for too long. In turn, there may be a reduction in the
effectiveness of
the remaining plant-treatment formulation 114 as the living organisms therein
drown.
[0048]
Some components of plant-treatment formulations are harmful to
humans.
For example, some plant-treatment formulations are carcinogenic if inhaled,
and/or
corrosive to skin-contact. Accordingly, it may be advisable to wear protective
equipment,
such as gloves and a respiratory device when handling loose plant-treatment
formulation to
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. ,
.. , .
mitigate the risk of harmful exposure. However, equipping such protective
equipment may
be inconvenient for some users.
[0049] Some components of plant-treatment formulations are
sensitive to bacteria.
For example, nematodes are sensitive to bacteria that are commonly found on
human
hands as well as certain types of mould. Consequently, there is a high
mortality of
nematodes observed when they are handled with bare hands. Dead nematodes make
for
ineffective components of a plant-treatment formulation. Accordingly, it may
be advisable
to wear protective gloves when handling loose plant-treatment formulation
which includes
sensitive organisms (e.g. nematodes). However, equipping protective gloves may
be
inconvenient for some users.
[0050] Reference is now made to FIGS. 2-4. FIG. 2 shows a front
elevation view of
a cartridge 200 for a liquid reservoir of a plant-treatment product sprayer,
in accordance
with at least one embodiment. FIG. 3 shows a top view of cartridge 200, in
accordance
with at least one embodiment. FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of cartridge
200 taken
along the line 4-4 in Figure 2.
[0051] In the example shown, cartridge 200 includes a liquid
permeable pouch 202,
which defines an internal volume 204. A plant-treatment formulation 206, in
this example,
is contained by pouch 202 in the internal volume 204. In some embodiments,
cartridge 200
is pre-sealed (e.g. during manufacturing of cartridge 200) before it is sold
to an end-user.
In alternative embodiments, cartridge 200 and plant-treatment formulation 206
are
separately provided to end-users. In these embodiments, the end-user at least
partially fills
internal volume 204 with plant-treatment formulation 206 before use.
[0052] The pouch 202 advantageously allows the nematodes to be
kept away from
human contact to help keep bacteria levels low making a better environment for
the
nematodes and to ensure better storage and use.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 5, cartridge 200 may be deposited into
liquid reservoir 104
of plant-treatment product sprayer 100 instead of depositing a loose plant-
treatment
formulation, as was shown in FIG. 1. In contrast with handling loose plant-
treatment
formulation, cartridge 200 may provide a safer way of transferring plant-
treatment
formulation 206 into liquid reservoir 104. For example, liquid permeable pouch
202 may
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. .
. . .
provide an effective barrier between plant-treatment formulation 206 and a
user. This may
reduce user-exposure to plant-treatment formulation 206 lessening the risk of
harm to the
user and to components of the plant-treatment formulation 206.
Plant-treatment
formulation 206 may be less likely to make skin-contact with a user or become
airborne
when contained in pouch 202. Still, in some embodiments, loose plant-treatment
formulation 206 is deposited into liquid reservoir 104 in addition to
cartridge 200.
[0054]
Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, pouch 202 is permeable to a mixture of
liquid 112
and small particles 208 of plant-treatment formulation 206, in the example
shown. This
may permit a mixture of liquid 112 and small particles 208 to flow out of
pouch 202 and
subsequently spray out of outlet nozzle 106. In some embodiments, pouch 202 is
not
permeable to clumps 210 of plant-treatment formulation 206 that are large
enough to clog
plant-treatment sprayer 100.
[0055]
Pouch 202 includes a plurality of pores, in some embodiments, which
provide
the liquid permeability of pouch 202. In some examples, the pores are sized
large enough
to allow passage of liquid 112 and small particles 208, and sized small enough
to prevent
passage of clumps 210. In some cases, clumps 210 break apart into small
particles 208
when forced by liquid 112 through the pores of pouch 202, which cannot
accommodate
large clumps. All of the pores of pouch 202 are smaller than 2mm across in at
least some
embodiments. This may prevent clumps 210 having a diameter of 2mm or more from
passing through pouch 202 in these cases.
[0056]
As mentioned above, some plant-treatment formulations include
nematodes,
which may be effective as an organic fertilizer. Accordingly, it may be
desirable for the
pores of pouch 202 to be sized large enough for nematodes to pass. Typically,
juvenile
nematodes have a length of between 0.4mm and 1.5mm. Therefore, in some
examples, all
of the pores of pouch 202 are larger than 1.5mm across. In one such example,
all of the
pores of pouch 202 are between 1.5mm and 2mm across.
[0057]
Further, some plant-treatment formulations include carrier components
and
active components. The active components may provide the intended plant-
treatment
effect when applied to, e.g. targeted plants. In some cases, the carrier
components may
enhance the shelf-life of the active components, or may help to retain the
active
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components until they are applied to, e.g. targeted plants. For example, some
plant-
treatment formulations include active components such as nematodes, and a
carrier
formulated to emulate the natural habitat of the nematodes. This may help to
reduce the
mortality rate of the nematodes. In some embodiments, the pores of pouch 202
are sized
to filter the carrier components of plant-treatment formulation 206, and allow
passage of the
active components of plant-treatment formulation 206. This may permit
substantially all of
the active components to pass through pouch 202, for mixing with liquid 112
and eventually
spraying out of outlet nozzle 106, while retaining substantially all of the
carrier ingredients
within pouch 202.
[0058] In some embodiments, pouch 202 is more permeable when wet, than when
dry. This may help to prevent plant-treatment formulation 206 from escaping
pouch 202
before it makes contact with liquid 112 inside liquid reservoir 104, such as
during shipping,
storage on store-shelves, or user-handling. In some embodiments, the pores of
pouch 202
are enlarged by contact with liquid 112. In some embodiments, the pressure
exerted by
liquid 112 as it passes through pouch 202 breaks plant-treatment formulation
206 into small
particles 208 which are small enough to pass through the pores of pouch 202.
Still, in
alternative embodiments, the permeability of pouch 202 to plant-treatment
formulation 206
may be relatively the same when pouch 202 is dry and when pouch 202 is wet.
[0059] In some embodiments, pouch 202 is less permeable to dry plant-
treatment
formulation than to wet plant-treatment formulation. This may help to prevent
dry plant-
treatment formulation 206 from escaping pouch 202 before it makes contact with
liquid 112
inside liquid reservoir 104, such as during shipping, storage on store-
shelves, and user-
handling. In some examples, one or more components of plant-treatment
formulation 206
dissolves or decomposes from contact with liquid 112. Still, in alternative
embodiments,
the permeability of pouch 202 to dry and wet plant-treatment formulation 206
is relatively
the same.
[0060] In various embodiments, pouch 202 is made from one or more of
a woven
material, a non-woven material, and a film. The material of pouch 202 in some
cases
includes a web of fine-filaments. In some cases, the web includes fine-
filaments woven in
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. .
. .
. .
a weave pattern, such as a basket-weave for example. The fine-filaments may
include one
or more of natural fibers, synthetic fibers and combinations thereof.
[0061]
In some embodiments, the material of pouch 202 is biodegradable. For
example, the material of pouch 202 may include a biodegradable bioplastic.
Bioplastics
include starch blends made from thermo-plastically modified starch,
biodegradable
polymers, polyesters, and polyhydroxy-alkanoate (PHA). Polylactic acid is one
example of
suitable polyester bioplastic that is both compostable and biodegradable.
Polylactic acid,
and some other biodegradable bioplastics may provide pouch 202 with a soft,
textile-like
appearance and feel. Other suitable bioplastics include starches (corn, potato
and/or rice),
cellulose and soy proteins. Still, in alternative embodiments, the material of
pouch 202 may
not be biodegradable, and does not have a soft textile-like appearance and
feel. For
example, the material of pouch 202 may be made from metal. Pouch 202, in some
examples, is made from a wire mesh. In other embodiments, pouch 202 is made
from a
plant-based material, or mixtures of plant-based and artificial materials. The
material of
pouch 202, in some examples, includes one or more of paper (e.g. filter
paper), bamboo,
cotton, polyester, and nylon or some other combinational filter material.
[0062]
In some embodiments, cartridge 200 is flexible. This may permit
cartridge
200 to be inserted into liquid reservoirs having different sizes, shapes and
differently sized
and shaped openings. Still, in other embodiments cartridge 200 is rigid and
not flexible.
[0063]
In some embodiments, cartridge 200 contains a pre-measured quantity of
plant-treatment formulation 206.
The pre-measured quantity, in some examples,
corresponds to an ideal quantity for plant-treatment product sprayers of a
certain (e.g.
standard) size, or else a specific model of plant-treatment product sprayer.
This may be
easier and faster than determining, measuring, and pouring loose plant-
treatment
formulation 114 into the liquid reservoir of a plant-treatment product sprayer
100.
[0064]
According to some embodiments, certain cartridges 200 are sized for
small
household plant-treatment product sprayers, and certain other cartridges 200
are sized for
large industrial plant-treatment product sprayers. In either case, the
cartridge 200 is
flexible and/or sized to fit into the opening of the reservoirs for different
types of sprayers.
An example of a cartridge 200 sized for household plant-treatment product
sprayers
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measures about 6cm in width, 8cm in height, and 2cm in depth. In some
examples, a
cartridge 200 of this size includes plant-treatment formulation having about
25 million
nematodes. An example of a cartridge 200 sized for industrial plant-treatment
product
sprayers measures about 12cm in width, 25cm in height, and 10cm in depth. In
some
examples, a cartridge 200 of this size includes plant-treatment formulation
having about
250 million nematodes.
[0065] In some embodiments, cartridge 200 is a single-use product
that is disposed
after the plant-treatment product inside has been expended (e.g. sprayed out
of a nozzle of
a plant-treatment sprayer). In embodiments where cartridge 200 is
biodegradable, an
expended cartridge 200 may be disposed of in a compost bin, into a garden, or
a municipal
organic-waste bin (a "green" bin). In some embodiments, cartridge 200 includes
a
reusable, refillable, and recloseable pouch 202. In one example, pouch 202 can
be
opened, refilled with loose plant-treatment formulation, and then reclosed.
[0066] In the example shown, cartridge 200 has a substantially
rectangular front
profile. However, cartridge 200 can be formed in any shape, such as spherical,
pyramidal,
and cubical for example. Cartridge 202 may be manufactured by depositing a
quantity of
plant-treatment formulation on a web of pouch-material, folding the pouch-
material over the
plant-treatment formulation and itself, and then sealing overlapping edges
212. Edges 212
are sealed by any suitable means, such as melt-bonding and/or using adhesive
and/or
using appropriate stitching or sealing method.
[0067] In the example shown, cartridge 200 has a string 214. As
shown, string 214
is coupled to pouch 202. String 214 may permit a user to manipulate cartridge
200 (e.g.
deposit cartridge 200 into liquid reservoir 104, and/or agitate cartridge 200
in liquid
reservoir 104, etc.) without directly touching pouch 202. This may further
reduce user-
exposure to plant-treatment formulation 206 to the benefit of the users health
and the
effectiveness of the plant-treatment formulation 206. Still, in alternative
embodiments,
cartridge 200 does not have a string 214, and a user may manipulate cartridge
200 by
direct handling of pouch 202. However, the string 214 may be useful for larger
sized
cartridges.
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[0068]
FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a cartridge 300 for a liquid
reservoir of a
plant-treatment product sprayer, according to another embodiment. In the
example shown,
cartridge 300 includes a pouch 302, and drawstrings 304 coupled to pouch 302.
Drawstrings 304 may permit pouch 302, which contains a volume of plant-
treatment
formulation, to be reconfigured into a more compact shape for depositing into
the liquid
reservoir of a plant-treatment product sprayer.
[0069]
In the example shown, when cartridge 300 is in a relaxed state, it is
shaped
wide and long with a narrow depth. In some embodiments, drawstrings 304 are
fastened to
pouch 302 such that they collapse the shape of cartridge 300 when drawn. FIG.
7 shows
an example of cartridge 300 in a compacted state after drawstrings 304 have
been drawn.
A relaxed state that is wide and long with a narrow depth may in some cases
provide
stability to a stack of cartridges 300. It may be desirable to stack
cartridges 300 during
shipping and storage, for example. However, in such a relaxed state, cartridge
300 may be
too bulky to fit easily into some liquid reservoirs. Thus, it may be
convenient to draw on
drawstrings 304 to provide cartridge 300 with a more compact shape which may
be more
easily deposited into the liquid reservoirs of some plant-treatment product
sprayers. Still, in
alternative embodiments, cartridge 300 does not include drawstrings 304.
[0070]
FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a back pack sprayer 500, in
accordance
with at least one embodiment. In the example shown back pack sprayer 500
includes a
liquid reservoir 504, and an outlet nozzle 506. The cartridge 200 that is
shown FIG. 11
may have different dimensions and carry a different amount of plant treatment
formulation
compared to the other cartridges shown and described herein. As shown, a
cartridge 200
has been inserted into liquid reservoir 504. In use, plant-treatment
formulation from
cartridge 200 mixes with liquid inside liquid reservoir 504, and the mixture
is sprayed out of
outlet nozzle 506.
[0071]
FIG. 12 shows a side elevation view of a trailer tank sprayer 600, in
accordance with at least one embodiment. In the example shown trailer tank
sprayer 600
includes a liquid reservoir 604, and an outlet hose 606. As shown, a cartridge
300 has
been inserted into liquid reservoir 604. In use, plant-treatment formulation
from cartridge
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=
300 mixes with liquid inside liquid reservoir 604, and the mixture is
delivered to an outlet
nozzle (not shown) via outlet hose 606.
[0072] In some embodiments, pouch 202 is made of vapor-permeable
material. This
may permit ambient air to circulate through pouch 202. Some plant-treatment
formulations
include living organisms, such as nematodes, which breathe. During extended
storage,
these living organisms may perish prematurely if pouch 202 is vapor
impermeable, leading
to a shorter product shelf life, and reduced effectiveness of the plant-
treatment formulation.
Moreover, some plant-treatment formulations are sensitive to moisture, and/or
prone to
molding if exposed to excessive moisture during storage. This may also lead to
a shorter
product shelf life, and reduced effectiveness of the plant-treatment
formulation. A vapor-
permeable pouch 202 may in some cases permit ambient air to circulate through
pouch
202 to allow organisms in the plant-treatment formulation to breathe, and to
carry away
moisture accumulated in pouch 202. Still, in alternative embodiments, pouch
202 is air-
impermeable, at least when pouch 202 is dry.
[0073] In some embodiments, one or more cartridges 200 is provided in
packaging.
FIG. 8 shows an example of a cartridge 200 provided in a plastic bag 216. In
the example
shown, plastic bag 216 includes a reclosable opening 218. Opening 218 may be
normally
closed during shipping and storage of plastic bag 216, and then opened to
remove
cartridge 200 before use. In alternative embodiments, plastic bag 216 is
permanently
sealed. In some examples, plastic bag 216 may be torn or cut open to access
cartridge
200. Although, the illustrated embodiment includes packaging made of
transparent plastic,
alternative embodiments include both opaque and transparent packaging, and
packaging
made of any one or more of a variety of materials including, for example,
paper, nylon,
cotton, silk, and metal.
[0074] As discussed above, it may be beneficial for cartridge 200 to be
vapor-
permeable (e.g. to allow plant-treatment formulation to breathe, and to reduce
moisture
accumulation). Similarly, it may be beneficial for the packaging of cartridge
200 to be
vapor-permeable. This may permit ambient air, from outside of the packaging,
to circulate
through a vapour-permeable pouch 202, located inside of the packaging. In the
example
shown, the vapor-permeability of plastic bag 216, when recloseable opening 218
is closed,
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CA 02827395 2013-09-16
is provided by a hole 220 pierced in the plastic bag 216. The remainder of
plastic bag 216,
in this example, is vapor-impermeable. In other embodiment, the material of
the packaging
is naturally vapor permeable (e.g. cotton). Still, in alternative embodiments,
the packaging
of cartridge 200 is substantially air-impermeable. These various embodiments
help control
too much moisture from building up by allowing for some air flow so that the
contents of the
pouch 202 can move and breathe.
[0075]
According to at least one embodiment, there is a use of cartridge 200
for
providing plant-treatment formulation to a liquid reservoir of a plant-
treatment product
sprayer 100, wherein the cartridge 200 includes a liquid permeable pouch 202
containing a
plant-treatment formulation 206. FIG. 10 shows a flowchart illustrating a
method 400 of
providing a plant-treatment product to a liquid reservoir of a sprayer, in
accordance with at
least one embodiment. Although the flowchart shows certain acts performed in a
certain
order, in some embodiments, method 400 may omit one or more of the acts shown,
and/or
includes one or more additional acts not shown. Moreover, in some embodiments,
one or
more of the acts of method 400 are practiced in an order that is different
from that shown,
and/or two or more of the acts of method 400 are practiced simultaneously.
[0076]
For clarity, method 400 is described with reference to a cartridge 200,
and a
plant-treatment product sprayer 100. However, in alternative embodiments,
method 400 is
practiced using other suitable apparatus.
[0077] At 402, cartridge 200 is removed from packaging. In some
embodiments, the
packaging is a vapor-permeable packaging, such as plastic bag 216, which
includes a hole
220. In one example, removing cartridge 200 from plastic bag 216 includes
opening up
recloseable opening 218 and then taking cartridge 200 out of plastic bag 216
through the
opened opening 218. In alternative embodiments, cartridge 200 is not enclosed
in
packaging and method 400 does not include act 402.
[0078]
At 404, cartridge 200 is deposited into a liquid reservoir 104 of a
plant-
treatment product sprayer 100. FIG. 9 shows a side view of cartridge 200 being
deposited
into liquid reservoir 104 through mouth 122 of liquid reservoir 104. As shown,
cartridge 200
includes a pre-measured quantity of plant-treatment formulation.
In some cases,
depositing a cartridge 200 of pre-measured quantity of plant-treatment
formulation is easier
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CA 02827395 2013-09-16
and faster than determining, measuring, and pouring loose plant-treatment
formulation into
liquid reservoir 104.
[0079] In the example shown, pouch 202 of cartridge 200 is grasped
directly by the
user. However, in some cases, pouch 202 provides an effective barrier between
the plant-
treatment formulation that is contained inside the pouch 202 and the user. In
these cases,
pouch 202 may reduce user-exposure to the plant-treatment formulation to the
benefit of
the user's health and the effectiveness of the plant-treatment formulation.
[0080] In some embodiments, cartridge 200 includes a string (not
shown). In these
embodiments, depositing cartridge 200 can include using the string to lower
cartridge 200
through mouth 122 of liquid reservoir 104. This may further reduce user-
exposure to the
plant-treatment formulation to the benefit of the user's health and the
effectiveness of the
plant-treatment formulation.
[0081] At 406, liquid reservoir 104 is at least partially filled
with liquid 112. In some
examples, the liquid reservoir 104 is filled with liquid 112 before depositing
cartridge 202 at
404. In various embodiments, at least partially filling liquid reservoir 104
with liquid 112
occurs before or after reconnecting liquid reservoir 104 to plant-treatment
product sprayer
100. For example, liquid reservoir 104 may be at least partially filled with
liquid 112 by
activating plant-treatment product sprayer 100, or by a user manually pouring
an initial
quantity of liquid 112 into liquid reservoir 104.
[0082] At 408, cartridge 200 is agitated while at least partially submerged
in liquid
112 inside liquid reservoir 104. This may encourage the plant treatment
formulation to exit
pouch 202 and mix with liquid 112. In some examples, agitating cartridge 200
forces some
liquid 112 to circulate through pouch 202, and entrain some of the plant-
treatment
formulation inside. In various embodiments, agitating cartridge 200 may
include one or
more of grasping and shaking pouch 202; grasping string 214 and repeatedly
dunking
cartridge 200 into liquid 112; shaking liquid reservoir 104 with liquid 112
and cartridge 200
inside, or submerging cartridge 200 into liquid 112 and stirring (e.g. with a
stir-stick).
[0083] Still, in alternative embodiments, cartridge 200 is not
agitated while at least
partially submerged in liquid 112 inside liquid reservoir 104. In some cases,
plant-
treatment formulation 206 dissolves rapidly in liquid 112, such that pre-
agitation is not
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required to ensure an adequate oufflux of plant-treatment formulation from
cartridge 200.
In other cases, the cartridge 200 may be required to be positioned within the
liquid reservoir
104 for a certain period of time to allow for the outflux of plant-treatment
formulation from
the cartridge 200 into the liquid reservoir 104.
[0084] It should be noted that the use of the cartridge 200 allows for
accurate pre-
measurement which encourages the correct usage of the pesticide in use as the
users will
not have to make any measurements of any ingredients to correctly use the
pesticide.
[0085] It should be noted that the various cartridges described
herein may be used
with various sprayers. For example, a Miracle Grow sprayer systems with large
orifices or
the Gilmour Fertilizing Feeder Model No. 405 with a dial control for 4
different sprayer
patterns was found to work well with the various cartridges described herein.
Other
example applications include submerging one of the various cartridges
described herein
into the liquid reservoir of a watering can, hand-held mister-type sprayer,
and other
irrigation systems. In some embodiments, the various cartridges described
herein may be
mixed into open soil or soil contained in a growing vessel (e.g. a container,
pot, or planter).
[0086] While the above description provides examples of the
embodiments, it will be
appreciated that some features and/or functions of the described embodiments
are
susceptible to modification without departing from the principles of operation
of the
described embodiments. Accordingly, what has been described above has been
intended
to be illustrative of the subject matter described herein and non-limiting and
it will be
understood by persons skilled in the art that other variants and modifications
may be made
without departing from the scope of the subject matter as defined in the
claims appended
hereto. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred
embodiments and
examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the
description as
a whole.
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