Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPENSING MULTIPLE
LOW RATE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. Application No.
16/112,660, filed August
25, 2018, entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPENSING MULTIPLE LOW RATE
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS.
[0002] The entire contents of 16/112,660 is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates generally to agricultural product
dispensing systems; and,
more particularly to systems for dispensing multiple low rate agricultural
products.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] There are several ways to dispense at-plant liquid and/or granule
products in or near the
furrow while planting. For, example, commercial devices for dispensing low-
rate, in-furrow liquid
products while planting are not suitable for newer planters that operate at
speeds which exceed
miles per hour while distributing planting seed into the seed furrow. The
physical design and
liquid placement of these commercial devices are neither suitable for
dispensing very low rates
(one-half gallon or less per linear acre, on crop rows planted 30 inches
apart, or less than about
3.7 fluid ounces/1,000 row feet) of continuously applied liquid agricultural
product per acre in a
manner that enables the product to deliver an efficacious result, nor are they
capable of
synchronizing the delivery of the liquid with the seed, such that an ultra-
small dose of liquid is
delivered in very close proximity to the seed, with as much as 90% (or more)
of the space or
area between the seeds remaining untreated with the liquid so applied. As will
be discussed
below, the present invention provides the combination of continuous stream,
low rate liquid
application technology, in concert with pulsed delivery of the liquid to
synchronize delivery of the
liquid with the seed resulting in an untreated space that remains between each
seed so that the
total applied liquid volume per acre can be reduced by as much as 90% versus
currently
available in-furrow liquid application systems.
1
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
[0007] For example, the default synchronized or pulsed dispensing rate for one
conventional
commercial system is 5 gallons per acre at 5 MPH, with a resultant treated
strip of
approximately 3 inches in length being applied with each pulse of applied
liquid. In such a
situation the planted seed is placed within this 3 inch treated strip. This
correlates to enabling
the liquid application process to be turned on and off (pulsed), using a time
interval of
approximately 30 milliseconds. In order to reduce the total quantity of liquid
chemical applied
per acre, it is desirable to be able to synchronize delivery of the liquid
chemical with delivery of
the seed, while the planter is operating at speeds greater than 5 MPH, while
limiting the area or
length of treated soil to a strip which may be approximately 1 inch in length,
with a treated strip
of soil always being in close proximity (i.e. within 1/2 inch) to each planted
seed. To enable
application of such a low rate in such close proximity with the seed requires
the liquid to be
pulsed at a time interval of about 3 milliseconds. As will be discussed below,
the invention
described herein can efficaciously apply continuous low rate liquids at 1/2
gallon per acre or
less, while the planter is being operated at speeds greater than 5 MPH, and so
can be used with
newer, high-speed planters. Reducing the total volume of continuously applied
liquid to 1/2
gallon per linear acre corresponds to about 17% of the somewhat low rate
continuous liquid
application systems that are currently available. Current low-rate liquid
pulsing/synchronization
technology cannot apply such low rates due to the inability of commercially
available agriculture
product pulsing valves/devices to operate at the high speed/short time
interval required, and due
to the inability to synchronize the spray pulse with seed placement such that
the seed and liquid
are in close enough proximity to ensure efficacious results from the applied
liquid.
[0008] In spite of the desirability of being able to apply an ultra-low-rate
of a liquid, in-furrow
product while planting at high speed, the configuration of current planting
systems that use
pulsed liquid application systems have major problems/limitations. As used
herein the term
"ultra-low-rate," as applied to liquids, refers to a rate below 1.0 fluid
ounces per 1000 row feet.
The term "low rate," as apply to liquids, refers to a rate below 3.7 fluid
ounces per 1000 row feet.
To meet the high-speed, low rate objective, the actual pulsing device must be
closer to the seed
area than currently available designs. For continuous application no pulsing
device is required.
Therefore the application device can be located in any position relative to
the seed area.
Furthermore, the area available for the pulsing device to be mounted closer to
the landing point
of each seed in the seed trench or furrow is small, relative to the available
space on the planter
where currently available pulsing devices are mounted. Current pulsed-delivery
orifices or spray
tips are mounted from 6 to 40 inches from the pulsing device. When applying
liquid products at
very low rates, i.e. ultra-low rates, with high speed pulsing, the amount of
fluid between the
pulsing device (valve) and orifice limits the speed of operation because the
fluid has inertia and
the line has to go from low pressure to dispensing pressure very quickly.
Also, to prevent
dripping during periods of very low pressure or when pressure is zero, a check
valve may be
required. Check valves used in currently available in-furrow application
equipment are not
designed to operate at the high speeds that are required for high speed
planting, nor are they
2
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
designed to operate at the frequent on/off cycles required at high speeds.
Therefore, check
valve placement and operational limitations negatively affect the ability to
accurately
synchronize application of liquid products at low and ultra-low rates in very
close proximity with
planting seed when planting at high speed, even though the presence of check
valves on
currently available application equipment increases the range of operating
limits of systems so
equipped, versus similar systems without check valves. Also, as is the case
with the physical
size of currently available pulsing devices, the physical size of most check
valves prevents close
mounting to the seed release area, i.e., the area where the seed exits the
seed transport
mechanism, prior to placement in the seed furrow.
[0009] Furthermore, when farmers try to apply both liquid and dry (e.g.
granule) agricultural
products during the same planting operation or pass, the liquid product
frequently dampens, and
therefore interferes with the flowability of the dry product, which results in
plugged or reduced-
flow dry product placement tubes. Anything that causes a less than intended
rate of dry or liquid
product to be applied within the intended area of close proximity with each
seed can contribute
to reduced efficacy of the product(s) being applied. As will be disclosed
hereinafter, the
inventive concepts of the present invention resolves this issue.
[0010] US Pat. No. 6,938,864 uses a brush that collects the granules at the
end of the seed
tube and when the seed comes down the tube it pushes open the brush and
dispenses the
chemical with the seed. The '864 system works fine for speeds up to about 5
MPH and
populations of about 32,000 seeds per acre. However, if one attempts to
operate the '864
system at speeds greater than 5 MPH, the exit speed of seed through the
discharge opening of
the delivery tube can be restricted by the brush, while the entry speed of
seeds into the same
delivery tube at a position above the brushes is not restricted. When seed
enters the delivery
tube at a rate that's faster than the discharge rate, blockage of the seed
delivery tube can occur,
resulting in reduced plant populations and a corresponding reduction in crop
yield. Additionally,
when operating the '864 system at speeds greater than 5 MPH, product
synchronization is
adversely affected, as a consequence of inadequate time for the brushes to
collect an adequate
quantity of product granules before the next seed passes through the brush,
causing the brush
bristles to flex and the product granules to be evenly synchronized in close
proximity with each
planted seed. The result can be a less than efficacious dose rate of granules
being applied in
close proximity with the seed, because a portion of the intended dose rate
gets distributed in the
space between the seeds as a consequence of the brush bristles' inability to
flex, catch, and
hold the chemical granules as quickly as is required when operating at speeds
greater than 5
MPH. In essence, synchronization quality is diminished when the '864 system is
operated at
speeds greater than 5 MPH because granule leakage past the brushes occurs.
[0011] US Pat. No. 7,270,065 discloses use of an electrical mechanical valve
to dispense the
chemical granules. The '065 patent addresses some of the problems inherent
with the' 864
patent. Presently, many corn planters have air compressors on them. The '065
patent
introduces the option of using an air valve to blow the granules, versus
requiring the seed to
3
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
pass through the brush on which product granules are collected during the
interval of time
between the passage of seeds.
[0012] Over the past decade, planting and chemical dispensing systems for
dispensing seed
and insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, nutrients, plant growth regulators,
or fertilizers, have
made the handling of seed and chemical liquids or granules less hazardous to
the agricultural
worker by providing closed container systems, such as those described in U.S.
Pat. No.
5,301,848 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,971,255, incorporated by reference herein and
the SmartBox
Dispensing System (hereinafter "SmartBox Dispensing System"), marketed by
AMVAC
Chemical Corporation, a division of American Vanguard Corporation. Briefly, as
described in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,848, access to and from a container in a closed container
system is
available through a single opening in the bottom wall of the container,
offering distinct
advantages over an open-top, non-removable container design in an open
container system.
[0013] Closed container systems provide a removable container, which is pre-
filled with the
chemical or toxic materials such as insecticides, fertilizers, herbicides and
other pesticides; or
other agricultural products, thereby eliminating the need to open and pour
bags of chemical
products into storage hoppers. Since the closed container system is largely
not open to the air,
agricultural workers have less opportunity to come into contact with the
chemical products,
thereby reducing skin and inhalation exposure to the hazardous chemicals.
[0014] At the present time, products that are applied in-furrow while planting
include
nematicides for the treatment of nematodes; insecticides for the treatment of
insects; herbicides
for the control of weeds; fungicides for the control of diseases; plant
health/growth stimulant
products for improving plant health; nutrients for improving plant health and
nutrition, etc. There
is research being conducted to develop additional in-furrow products that
utilize living/biological
micro-organisms, amino acids, proteins, peptides, and gene "switches", such as
the developing
area of RNA silencing or interference gene technology, etc.
[0015] Additionally, an alleged relationship between the use of at-planting
applied neonicotinoid
insecticides and a corresponding decline in the overall honeybee population
has been reported.
It is believed that air vacuum planters exhaust insecticide dust from planting
seed that was
treated with neonicotinoid insecticide prior to the seed being loaded into the
planter, and that the
dust from the same is adversely affecting the population of honeybees.
Honeybees are an
essential element of the plant pollination process for many crops, so a
decline in honeybee
populations can potentially reduce overall crop yields Insecticide dust from
pre-treated seed can
be eliminated if synchronized, in-furrow delivery of those same insecticides
while planting
proves to be an economically and efficacious alternative.
[0016] Today, most in-furrow granular products are dispensed or applied at a
rate of more than
three ounces per thousand feet of row, while most liquid products are applied
at rates of more
than 3.7 fluid ounces per thousand feet of row. In-furrow application rates of
less than three dry
ounces per thousand row feet, or less than 3.7 fluid ounces per thousand row
feet, require
special techniques and special equipment in order to deliver efficacious
results. As will be
4
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
disclosed below, the present invention addresses these needs.
[0017] Traditionally, systems for in-furrow granule placement use a plastic
hose and metal
bracket to establish the positioning of the granules into the furrow. Wind and
the angle of field
slope can affect product placement. Because they are placed behind the depth
wheels on the
planter, the brackets that establish the position of the are subject to being
misaligned by coming
into contact with crop residue, clods, and other field issues such as ditches
and furrows. Also,
since the furrow closure is determined by soil conditions, the furrow may be
closed by the time
the chemical (i.e. agricultural product) tube applies the chemical to the
furrow. When the point
of product discharge is placed behind the depth wheels, wind can blow the
product off target
under the windy conditions that are prevalent during planting time. With
conventional banding
equipment, product is frequently placed on the downhill side of the row in
fields with substantial
slope that runs in a somewhat perpendicular direction from the direction of
the rows. Originally
installed granular product banding equipment from planter manufacturers is
often too wide and
provides little to no protection from the wind, which may allow product to be
blown away from
the desired application zone.
[0018] US Pat. No. 9,820,431, issued to present inventor L. M. Conrad,
discloses a process and
system for accurately applying low-rate, in-furrow dry/granular agricultural
products. The '431
patent addresses and resolves several of the problems associated with
obtaining efficacious
results when applying in-furrow products at low rates while planting.
[0019] US Pat. Publication US 2018/0000070, published on Jan. 4, 2018, to FMC
Corporation,
discloses foamable formulations of agriculturally active ingredients, as well
as methods for using
them. The formulations allegedly "allow improved delivery of active
ingredients by the ability to
deliver high amounts of active ingredient with a low volume of formulation
used." The '070
publication discloses application of products below 1 gallon per acre input.
In other words, the
active ingredient plus carrier is below 1 gallon per acre input. The FMC foam
system expands
that active ingredient plus carrier by 15 to 50 times the input. Therefore,
the amount of
agricultural product dispensed into the furrow is actually many gallons (i.e.
on the order of 15 to
50 gallons) when the combined volume of liquid plus air in the foamed product
is accounted for.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0020] In one aspect, the present invention is embodied as system for
dispensing multiple low
rate agricultural products, including an agricultural product metering system,
a number of
agricultural product tubes, and an agricultural product metering system. The
agricultural product
metering system is operably connected to sources of low rate agricultural
products. The
agricultural product tubes are operatively connected to the agricultural
product metering system.
The agricultural product metering system is configured to dispense liquid low
rate agricultural
products at a low rate defined as below 3.7 fluid ounces per 1000 row feet.
[0021] In a preferred embodiment the agricultural product metering system
includes a syringe-
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
based pump system.
[0022] In a preferred embodiment the system for dispensing multiple low rate
agricultural
products includes a seed sensing device configured to sense placement of seed
from a planter;
a pulsing system and an agricultural product metering system. The pulsing
system is operatively
coupled to output ends of agricultural product tubes and to the seed sensing
device and is
configured to synchronize the placement of low rate agricultural products
relative to the
placement of seed. The agricultural product metering system can also be
configured to dispense
liquid agricultural products an ultra-low-rate defined as below 1.0 fluid
ounces per 1000 row feet.
[0023] In one aspect, the present invention is embodied as a system for
dispensing multiple low
rate agricultural products with seed. The system includes a seed sensing
device; an agricultural
product metering system; agricultural product tubes and a pulsing system. The
seed sensing
device is configured to sense placement of seed from a planter. The
agricultural product
metering system is operably connected to sources of low rate agricultural
products. The
agricultural product tubes are operably connected to the agricultural product
metering system.
The pulsing system is operatively coupled to output ends of the agricultural
product tubes and to
the seed sensing device and is configured to synchronize the placement of low
rate and/or ultra-
low rate agricultural products relative to the placement of seed.
[0024] In one embodiment the seed sensing device is configured to sense
placement of seed
from a planter configured to operate at a high planter speed, the high planter
speed being
defined as greater than 5 mph. In other embodiments, the seed sensing device
is configured to
sense placement of seed from a planter configured to operate at a planter
speed in a range of
about 2 mph to 7 mph. In some embodiments the agricultural product metering
system is
configured to dispense dry, flowable low rate agricultural products at a low
rate defined as below
3 ounces per 1000 feet of row. In some embodiments the agricultural product
metering system
is configured to dispense liquid low rate agricultural products at a low rate
defined as below 3.7
fluid ounces per 1000 row feet. In some embodiments the agricultural product
metering system
is configured to dispense liquid agricultural products at an ultra-low-rate
defined as below 1.0
fluid ounces per 1000 row feet. In some embodiments the pulsing system is
configured to
provide the synchronized the placement of low rate and/or ultra-low rate
agricultural products in
close proximity with an individually placed seed or seed grouping, adjacent to
an individually
placed seed or seeds, or between individually placed individual seeds or
groups of seed, as
desired.
[0025] In one aspect the system for dispensing multiple low rate agricultural
products includes a
multiple low rate agricultural (MLRA) product application device configured to
cooperate with a
planting equipment monitor assembly positioned to sense a seed being
discharged from high
speed planting equipment.
[0026] In a preferred embodiment, each MLRA product application device
comprises a common
housing for a plurality of low rate agricultural product input assemblies.
Thus, the present
invention mitigates the issue discussed above regarding liquid interference
with the dry, flowable
6
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
product placement tube and resultant plugging of it.
[0027] In one aspect the present invention is embodied as a system for
dispensing a liquid low
rate agricultural product, including an agricultural product metering system
and at least one
agricultural product tube. The agricultural product metering system includes a
syringe-based
pump system operably connected to a source of liquid low rate agricultural
product. The
agricultural product tube is operatively connected to the agricultural product
metering system.
The agricultural product metering system is configured to continuously apply
the liquid low rate
agricultural product at a low rate defined as below 3.7 fluid ounces per 1000
row feet.
[0028] In one aspect the present invention is embodied as a system for
dispensing a liquid ultra-
low rate agricultural product, including an agricultural product metering
system and at least one
agricultural product tube. The agricultural product metering system includes a
syringe-based
pump system operably connected to a source of liquid ultra-low rate
agricultural product. The
agricultural product tube is operatively connected to the agricultural product
metering system.
The agricultural product metering system is configured to apply the liquid low
rate agricultural
product synchronized with placement of seed from a planter, at an ultra-low
rate defined as
below 1.0 fluid ounces per 1000 row feet.
[0029] As noted above, the FMC '070 publication discloses application of
liquid products at
below 1 gallon (128 fluid ounces) per linear acre. (There are 17,424 linear
row feet per acre
when the rows are spaced 30 inches apart; 128 fluid ounces per 17,424 row feet
is equal to
7.346 fluid ounces per 1,000 row feet.) However, the present patent
application, on the other
hand relates to efficacious liquid application rates of less than 64 fluid
ounces (3.673 fluid
ounces per 1,000 row feet.) output per linear acre. As noted previously, the
actual output
volume of the '070 FMC system is 15 to 50 times the input, in other words,
many gallons of
output per acre. Furthermore, the FMC '070 system discusses placement in a
continuous
stream, which means the liquid is applied in all the spaces between the
planted seeds. The
present invention, on the other hand, provides the ability to apply liquid
product in a continuous
stream or in a pulsed process that synchronizes delivery of the liquid with
the seed, resulting in
significant strips of untreated soil in the furrow in the space between the
seeds. The FMC '070
system mixes products before application. The present invention, on the other
hand, provides
for the simultaneous yet individual application of multiple agricultural
products, even potentially
incompatible products, during a single planting operation, while enabling
individual products, dry
and/or liquid, to be precisely placed at the desired locations, for example on
the seed, between
the seed, and in or adjacent to the seed furrow. Furthermore, since the FMC
system is reliant
on the foaming process, the potential ingredients are limited to products that
can be formulated
to deliver efficacious results in a foamed state.
[0030] As can be understood by the present disclosure, during a single planter
pass, various
combinations of products from multiple containers can be applied with this
technology.
In another aspect, the present invention is embodied as a system for
dispensing multiple
agricultural products. The system includes a Multiple Low Rate Agricultural
(MLRA) product
7
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
application device configured to cooperate with a planting equipment monitor
assembly that is
positioned to sense seed being discharged from high speed planting equipment.
[0041] The application rate range of the systems of the present invention
provide for a
convenient package for handling and shipping. The containers are smaller and
lighter than
presently used containers. Manufacturing and shipping costs are reduced, as is
the
environmental footprint. Furthermore, less volume of product results in
reduced storage and
handling requirements throughout the distribution channel and for the grower.
[0042] In some embodiments the product containers are rigid. In some
embodiments the
product containers may be disposable. (If disposable product containers are
used, the contents
of the disposable containers are transferred to or are utilized in conjunction
with one or more
configurable, rigid product reservoirs.)
[0043] The system of the present invention utilizes precision placement
equipment, typically
including placement tube assemblies. In one embodiment, each placement tube
assembly is
mounted in a manner that enables placement of the applied product(s) in-
furrow, between the
depth wheels of a depth control wheel assembly of the planter. In some
embodiments, the
precision placement equipment comprises banders. In some embodiments, the
bander is
mounted behind a depth control wheel assembly and forward of the planter's
closing wheel
assembly. In some embodiments the bander includes a wind screen positioned
thereon.
[0044] Some products need to be applied adjacent to the seed trench or furrow,
instead of
being applied directly into the same furrow where the seed is positioned by
the planter. The
reason for placing some products beside or adjacent to the furrow is because
some products
cause a phytotoxic or adverse reaction by the seed or seedling. In such
instances, agronomic
performance is improved if the seed can germinate and begin to grow without
being in direct
contact with the applied product, recognizing that overall agronomic
performance will be
improved versus non-use of the product, if the seedling roots can quickly grow
into a zone
where the applied product is available as a consequence of having been
precision-placed during
the planting process. In some scenarios, it might be preferable to place the
product in the seed
furrow, but synchronized in association with the delivery of each seed such
that the seed is
placed into a location where the product was not applied. Thus, in some
situations, treated
strips of product occur in-between each seed, thereby allowing the newly
germinated seeds to
extend their roots into a product treatment zone that exists or begins in the
seed furrow, versus
having to reach a product treatment zone that originated from precision
placement of the
product in a position that is adjacent to the row. Precision placement of
multiple products,
where products are placed in-furrow, or adjacent to the furrow, with, for
example, one or more
products being applied in furrow, while one or more additional products are
applied adjacent to
the row, on one or both sides of the row, can be accomplished with dry and
liquid products
during a single pass of the planter.
[0045] In certain embodiments, the memory associated with the cartridge is
part of an RFID
(Radio Frequency Identification) tag. In a number of embodiments, the current
user identity data
8
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
is read from a user identification source associated with the dispensing
equipment, such as an
authorization code to enable dispensing by the dispensing equipment. In some
embodiments,
each entity that takes possession of the cartridge is tracked, and the memory
associated with
the cartridge is updated with entity possession data. In one embodiment, the
method further
includes designating a cartridge as the cartridge to be used by or on behalf
of the specific user
for specific product such as selected agricultural product.
[0046] In some embodiments, the method includes repeatedly detecting, at least
during
dispensing of the product, changes in geographic location of the cartridge,
and repeatedly
entering and updating geographic information for sequential geographic
locations with as-
applied product data at those geographic locations into the memory associated
with the
cartridge. An as-applied map is generated in certain embodiments to record as-
applied
quantities of product dispensed at the sequential geographic locations at a
target area. In one
embodiment, the as-applied map is compared to a prescriptive map to generate a
difference
map indicating at least differences greater than a selected error amount, such
as deviations
greater than two percent or three percent from prescribed values, between
prescribed
information and as-applied information relating to quantities and type of
product actually
dispensed at the sequential geographic locations at the target area. In
another embodiment, the
as-applied product data is compared to prescriptive application data to
generate an error
message for differences greater than a selected error amount between
prescribed information
and as-applied information relating to quantities and type of product actually
dispensed at the
sequential geographic locations at the target area.
[0047] This invention further features a system and method that automatically
monitors product
use data, such as the type and amount of product suitable for at least one of
agricultural use
and horticultural use that is stored in and dispensed from at least one
cartridge over time and/or
by geographic location. Monitored data are stored in memory such as a tag on
the cartridge
and, in certain embodiments, are transmitted to a server and/or an
Input/Output device such as
a tablet or other mobile device, for storage, aggregation, and analysis. The
cartridge may be
authenticated before being authorized for use in dispensing the product. The
cartridge may be
refilled automatically with only the proper type and amount of product needed
to fill the cartridge.
To ensure that only the proper type of product can be introduced into the
cartridge during the
refilling process, authentication is conducted in certain embodiments for both
the cartridge and
the container from which the refill contents will be dispensed. The system for
dispensing the
contents of the cartridge may be calibrated automatically based a product
parameter such as on
the weight and/or the bulk density (or liquid viscosity) of the product in the
cartridge. Data may
be aggregated from a plurality of cartridges automatically.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0048] The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed
in color.
9
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
[0049] Figure 1 is a perspective illustration of a planter equipped with a
system for dispensing
multiple low rate agricultural products in accordance with the principles of
the present invention.
[0050] Figure 2 is another perspective illustration of the planter of Figure
1, partially broken
away to reveal the multiple low rate agricultural product application device
of the present
invention.
[0051] Figure 3A is an enlarged side view of a portion of the planter depicted
in Figure 2,
showing a seed dropped in the furrow.
[0052] Figure 3B shows dry, flowable agricultural product being applied.
[0053] Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the Multiple Low Rate
Agricultural (MLRA)
product application device of the present invention.
[0054] Figure 5 is a view taken along line 5 ¨ 5 of Figure 4.
[0055] Figure 5A is a perspective illustration, partially cutaway of an
example of a valve.
[0056] Figure 6 is an illustration of the system for dispensing multiple low
rate agricultural
products, including two Multiple Low Rate Agricultural (MLRA) product devices
positioned at
different locations on the planter.
[0057] Figure 7A is a view of the MLRA product application device with a plate
removed.
[0058] Figure 7B shows the liquid agricultural product input line adjusted to
dispense at a
different angle than depicted in Figure 7A.
[0059] Figure 8 is a simplified schematic illustration of the system for
dispensing multiple low
rate agricultural products, of the present invention.
[0060] Figure 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a dry, flowable
agricultural product
input assembly which allows application in two directions.
[0061] Figure 10 is a photograph of an example test of a multiple low rate
agricultural product
application device utilized with a single dry, flowable agricultural product
input assembly
illustrating granules dispensed in a concentrated pattern in close proximity
to the seed.
[0062] Figures 11A-110 are sequential photographs of synchronized delivery of
seed with
liquid.
[0063] Figure 12 is an illustration of a syringe pump that may be utilized to
apply in-furrow liquid
products at low rates.
[0064] Figure 13 shows an example display for a pulsing valve controller.
[0065] The same elements or parts throughout the figures of the drawings are
designated by
the same reference characters, while equivalent elements bear a prime
designation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0066] Referring now to the drawings and the characters of reference marked
thereon, Figures
1 and 2 show a simplified diagram of a system for dispensing multiple low rate
agricultural
products, designated generally as 10, positioned on a planter 12. The system
10 includes a
Multiple Low Rate Agricultural (MLRA) product application device 14 configured
to cooperate
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
with a planting equipment monitor assembly 16 (i.e. seed sensing device)
positioned to sense a
seed being discharged from planting equipment, i.e. planter 12.
[0067] The MLRA product application device (i.e. "aiming device") 14 includes
a common
housing 18 for a plurality of low rate agricultural product input assemblies
20, 21. As will be
discussed in more detail below, the low rate agricultural product input
assemblies 20, 21 have
exit ports supported by the common housing 18.
[0068] Referring now to Figures 3A, 3B, 4, and 5, each MLRA product
application device 14
includes two plates 22, 24 securely supported in a spaced apart position. The
plates 22, 24
preferably include mounting holes 26 that provide adjustment of the low rate
agricultural product
input assemblies 20, 21 for desired prescriptive discharge.
[0069] The seed sensing device 16 is particularly adapted to sense placement
of seed from a
planter configured to operate at a high planter speed. As defined herein a
"high planter speed" is
greater than 5 mph. However, the seed sensing device can optionally be used to
sense
placement of seed from a planter configured to operate at slower planter
speeds, for example in
a range of about 2 mph to 5 mph.
[0070] One type of low rate agricultural product input assembly is a liquid
agricultural product
input assembly 21. Typical liquid agricultural products may include, for
example, synthetic or
biological insecticides, fungicides, nematicides, inoculants, herbicides,
fertility products, etc.
Another type of low rate agricultural product input assembly 20 is a dry,
flowable agricultural
product input assembly 20. Typical dry, flowable agricultural products may
include, for example,
synthetic or biological insecticides, nematicides, inoculants, herbicides,
fungicides, fertilizers and
other agricultural products. Both liquid and dry agricultural products also
may include growth
hormones, growth promotion products, and other products for enhancing crop
production.
[0071] The dry, flowable agricultural product input assembly 20 includes a
dry, flowable
agricultural product input line 30; an air line/wire component 32 connectable
to an air source 34;
an air valve 36; a combination section 38; and a combined dry, flowable/air
outlet section 40.
The air valve 36 is operatively connected to the air line/wire component 32.
The combination
section 38 is positioned to receive dry, flowable agricultural product from
the dry, flowable
agricultural product input line 30 and air from the air valve 36. The
combination section 38 is
configured to receive the dry, flowable agricultural product and hold the dry,
flowable agricultural
product until the air from the air valve 36 discharges the dry, flowable
agricultural product. The
combined dry, flowable/air outlet section (or exit port section) 40 is
connected to the combination
section 38 and configured to discharge the dry, flowable agricultural
product.The liquid
agricultural product input assembly 21 includes a liquid agricultural product
input line 42. A
liquid line/wire component 44 is connectable to a liquid source 46. A liquid
valve 48 is
operatively connected to the liquid line/wire component 44 for regulating a
discharge of the liquid
agricultural product.
[0072] Thus, the air valves 36, liquid valves 48 and associated system items
to the air valves 36
and liquid valves 48 collectively comprise a pulsing system operatively
coupled to output ends of
11
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
the dry, flowable agricultural product input line 30 and/or liquid
agricultural product input line 42
(i.e.agricultural product tubes 30, 42). The pulsing system is also operably
coupled to the seed
sensing device. The pulsing system is configured to synchronize the placement
of low rate
agricultural products relative to the placement of seed. Thus, in some
embodiments the pulsing
system system includes electrical pulsing valves physically placed on the
output ends of the
agricultural product tubes.
[0073] In a preferred embodiment, the air valve 36 and/or liquid valve 48 may
comprise, for
example, a type of modified automotive fuel injection valve. As best seen in
Figure 5, both the
air valve 36 and the liquid valve 48 are the same type of mechanical device.
The active (i.e.
operational) part of the valves 36, 48, as denoted by the brackets in this
figure, may be, for
example, about 1 IA inches long and have diameters of approximately I/2 inch.
This allows
mounting of multiple agricultural product input assembies (including their
valves) within the
same MLRA product application device 14.
[0074] Referring to Figure 5A, an example of a valve 36 (or 48), either for
liquid or air, is
illustrated. The valve 36 includes structures known within the automotive fuel
injection field, such
as a valve housing assembly 23, an armature 25, a coil 27, an output orifice
29, and a return
spring 31. Additionally, there is an air/liquid line and suitable wiring.
Utilization of such a valve
allows multiple valves to be used within a single MLRA product application
device 14.
[0075] Each multiple low rate agricultural product application device 14 valve
36 (or 48) may be
about 11/4 inches long with a diameter of about I/2 inch. Adding wiring, hose,
and the mounting
housing increases the size slightly but can be designed to fit the length and
width of area
requirements. A commercially available valve for pulsing liquids on a corn
planter is available
from Capstan AG Systems Inc., Topeka, Kansas. As opposed to the present valve
36 (or 48),
The Capstan unit, on the other hand, is about 6 inches long and about 2 inches
wide. Also, the
Capstan unit, is normally split into two or more components to make it fit in
the space
available. In the Capstan unit the large size results in the pulsing part of
the valve being a long
distance from the dispensing tip or orifice, up to three feet on some units,
which decreases
performance.
[0076] As will be seen with respect to Figure 6, in one embodiment of system
10, there can be
multiple devices (i.e. MLRA product application devices) 14', 14" mounted on
the planter 12.
Each device may contain multiple low rate agricultural product input
assemblies 33, 35, 37, 39.
The agricultural product input assemblies may be various dry and/or liquid or
combinations
thereof. Device 14", i.e. precision placement equipment, includes placement
tube assemblies,
i.e. agricultural product input assemblies operatively connected to low rate
meter devices to
place the agricultural products in the desired locations for efficient
activity of the agricultural
products in this instance each placement tube assembly (i.e. agricultural
input assembly is
mounted between depth wheels of a depth control wheel assembly of the planter
for placement
of product in-furrow between the depth control wheels. Figure 6 shows one
depth control wheel
41. Another depth control wheel has been removed to show the device 14"
between the depth
12
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
control wheels. There is an attachment arm 19 for the depth control wheel 41.
Each of the
placement tube assemblies 33, 35 includes an elongated placement tube 37,39
arranged so that
it descends from a portion of the frame 41 behind the depth control wheels 41
to between the
depth control wheels. Device 14 is located in front of the seed tube 65. It is
preferably
positioned between the opening discs. One opening disc 43 is shown. A second
one has been
removed to show the device 14'. Thus, both devices 14' and 14" are protected
from the wind,
trash and other impediments on the soil. In other embodiments instead of
utilizing two plates,
one plate (for example, attached to a metal strip) may be utilized in a common
housing.
[0077] Referring again to Figure 1, in one embodiment, the planting equipment
monitor
assembly (i.e. seed sensing device) 16 includes an in-cab monitor 50 having a
seed status light
52. A planter assembly control module 54 is operatively connected to the in-
cab monitor 50, for
interfacing input signals from planter sensors. The planter assembly control
module 54 functions
as a master controller. The planter sensors may be of a variety of different
types that provide
input to the operator regarding planter functions, e.g. from the seed tube,
seed meter pressure
sensor, bulk seed tank pressure sensor (not shown), ground speed sensor 56
(see Fig. 1), seed
unit ground pressure sensor 58 (Fig. 2), etc.; and, for controlling planter
functions (such as
ground speed, bulk tank pressure, seed meter vacuum, row unit ground pressure,
liquid and dry,
flowable application control. There are alternate methods for positioning the
monitor 50. It can
be positioned as desired on the planter, e.g. under the seed hopper.
[0078] Connection means such as suitable wiring 60 is operatively connected
between the
control module 54 and the planter sensors through a planting equipment monitor
assembly wire
harness/connector 62. The harness/connector 62 can function as a power
distribution box. In
one embodiment the power distribution box 62 is operatively connected to a
secondary power
source (not shown).
[0079] In one embodiment, the planting equipment monitor assembly includes a
seed tube
integrated unit 64 including a seed status light 66. In some embodiments, the
seed status light is
mounted on a separate module rather than on the seed tube integrated unit 64.
The seed tube
integrated unit 64 is mounted on a seed tube 65. A control module 68, e.g. a
seed status LED
light interface module, is operatively connected to the seed tube integrated
unit 64 (i.e. seed
sensing electronics), for interfacing input signals from planter sensors and
for controlling planter
functions (such as ground speed, bulk tank pressure, seed meter vacuum, row
unit ground
pressure, liquid and dry, flowable application control). The control module 68
functions as a
secondary controller for actuating the meter devices. The control module 68
receives command
data from the master controller 54 and the seed tube integrated unit 64 and
seed status light 66
via the power distribution box
[0080] Connection means such as suitable wiring 70 is operatively connected
between the
control module 68 and the planter sensors (e.g. seed status light 66) through
the planting
equipment monitor assembly wire harness/connector 62.
[0081] In one embodiment, the multiple low rate agricultural product
application device is
13
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
configured to dispense dry, flowable (e.g. granular) agricultural products at
a low application
rate, a "low application rate," being defined for dry, flowable agricultural
products as a rate
below 3 ounces per 1000 feet of row.
[0082] In one preferred embodiment, the low application rate of the dry,
flowable agricultural
products is 1.0 - 2.0 ounces per 1000 feet of row. In an embodiment the
agricultural products
are insecticides.
[0083] In one embodiment the low application rate of the dry, flowable
agricultural products is
2.0 - 2.99 ounces per 1000 feet of row. In another embodiment the low
application rate of the
dry, flowable agricultural products is below 2.0 ounces per 1000 feet of row.
In another
embodiment the low application rate of the dry, flowable agricultural products
is 0.01 - 1.9
ounces per 1000 feet of row.
[0084] The multiple low rate agricultural product application device is
configured to dispense
liquid agricultural products at a low application rate, a "low application
rate," being defined as a
rate below 3.7 fluid ounces per 1,000 row feet.
[0085] With respect to liquid agricultural products, the low rate is limited
by the formulation and
the size of the particles suspended in the liquid. If the orifice is not large
enough to pass the
formulation or particles it will plug. It is also limited by the fact that if
the orifice is too small it may
form a mist which will make it difficult to hit the targeted area. If pure
water is utilized, application
rates can go down to four or 5 fluid ounces per linear acre with 30" row
spacing, or said another
way, per 17,424 row feet.
[0086] Referring again to Figures 4 and 5, it can be seen that the low rate
agricultural product
input assemblies (i.e. discharge guides) 20, 21 can be angled appropriately by
fasteners 45.
The fasteners may be of a wide variety of types, for example, plastic or metal
bolts or screws.
Items such as zip tie fasteners may be used. Thus, referring to Figures 7A and
7B, the liquid
agricultural product input assembly 21 is shown adjusted at different angles.
Furthermore, the
dry, flowable agricultural product input assembly 20 is shown with a modified
dry, flowable
agricultural product input line 30 which is curved to meet the requirements of
the planter frame.
[0087] Referring again to Figures 4 and 5, the exit port section (i.e.
combined dry, flowable/air
outlet section 40) includes, in the embodiment shown, a trough 47 at the end
of the chemical
tube 49 where agricultural product is collected. The air valve 36 is mounted
at one end of the
trough 47. The upper entry point of dry, flowable agricultural products
(granules) is between the
air valve 36 and the discharge opening 49. The air valve 36 fires and the
granules are blown
through the trough 47. The discharge end of the trough 47 has a U-shaped
discharge guide 51.
[0088] The U-shaped discharge guide 51 performs several functions:
[0089] 1. It protects the discharge opening 49 from foreign material entering
it and plugging it.
[0090] 2. In one embodiment the discharge guide 51 can be tilted through a
range of about 90-
120 degrees to provide guidance for the granules to hit the aim point,
eliminating the need for
complicated electronics to provide accuracy. It may have an added insert to
change the angle
for hitting the aim point.
14
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
[0091] 3. It also protects the liquid discharge from the liquid valve 48 (and
from any other
sources of liquid contamination) from entering the trough 47, which could
result in product
plugging and otherwise missing the target area.
[0092] 4. The U-shaped discharge guide 51 is preferred rather than a tube or
pipe type
discharge because the open side of the guide 51 prevents granules from
building up in the
discharge from debris, wet soil, crossing wet spots in the field, etc.
[0093] 5. The open front side prevents residue such as plant stalk from
lodging in the discharge
port.
[0094] Referring again to Figure 6, in one embodiment a brush 53 can be used
instead of the U-
shaped discharge guide 51. Using such a brush 53 can result in better
placement in some
planting conditions, such as high residue and wet conditions.
[0095] Another brush (not shown) may be utilized in the air valve system
between the granule
intake and discharge opening to work like it does with seed dispensing
devices. Such a brush
may reduce the unintended and less than efficacious application of minute
quantities of product
during the interval of time between the pulsed bursts of air.
[0096] The present invention allows different products to be introduced into
the furrow with
desired placement relative to the seed. In one embodiment, only one signal is
needed to signal
any group of valves to fire. This means that where the product is applied in
the furrow is
determined by the valve position. Therefore, noncompatible products can be
applied at the
same time in different positions. As noted above, the valve assembly can be
mounted either
behind the seed tube or in front of it. There is enough room to mount up to
three valve
assemblies depending on where the product is required to hit the seed furrow.
Also, normal
seed spacing for corn is about 6 inches. The normal seed spacing for soybeans
is about 1 to 4
inches depending on the row width. No matter when the signal from the seed
sensor is given the
valve can be positioned to hit with the proper timing and placement.
[0097] One reason to pulse granules and liquid is that granules can be more
easily designed for
timed release but liquids work better for quick control. In one embodiment,
for example, if it is
desired in an application for immediate response to pests that attack corn
seed but also a need
for late season control of corn rootworms, both an encapsulated granular and
liquid can be
used. Also if it is desired to apply both liquids and/or granular products
that are not completely
compatible with each other when they are in the same solution or direct
contact, they can be
pulsed in different locations in the furrow or near the furrow in the row.
[0098] The signal to drive the device of the present invention can be supplied
in many ways.
There are several commercial controllers such as a Capstan AG Systems, Inc.
Seed Squirter
controller; a Great Plains Ag planter unit; and a 360 Yield Center controller.
Since the devices
of the present invention can be manually adjusted they can be
controlled/driven by wiring them
directly to the planter monitor, Y-ed into the seed flow sensor connector,
and/or a
magnetic/emf/electric field sensor can be used with individual circuitry for
each row. Also, if
electrical timing is desired "delay line" modules can be used without
complicated electronics and
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
processors. "Delay Lines" are commonly used for signal processing.
[0099] In one embodiment, as can be seen in Figures 1-2, a rigid product
container 130 may be
utilized for low rate, dry flowable agricultural products. A liquid product
container 131 is shown,
by way of example, next to the rigid product container 130; however, there is
much flexibility in
the location of such a liquid product container 131. Additionally, as it is
understood by one
skilled in the field, there may be a variety of different rigid product
containers and/or liquid
product containers. The liquid product containers may each include a pump, or
may be
connected to a liquid supply pump.
[00100] In certain embodiments rigid containers may be used. Use of rigid
containers for
low rate, dry flowable agricultural products maintains agricultural product
integrity during
shipping and storage. This will be discussed below in more detail.
[00101] Although not preferred, pallets of bagged product may possibly be
used. Bagged
product was typically used in the past and the product was stacked four or
five pallets high in a
warehouse for a period of months. A common procedure is to drop a bag on the
ground or floor
to break up any lumps that might have developed in the bag as a consequence of
being stored.
Standard application equipment has rotors to help grind up lumps. This is
moderately effective
at application rates that are higher than the low rates previously decribed in
this document,
because the control orifices in the bottom of many currently available meters
are large enough
to pass the lumps that remain after the bags have been dropped as previously
described.
Lumps (or clumped material) that doesn't get broken up, if small enough, can
be forced through
the orifice due to the turning action of the rotors that are positioned before
the metering device.
However, at the low application rates described herein, the control orifice
has to be small
enough to control the flow, and essentially any lumping will cause a blockage
and prevent the
metering device from applying the product in a consistent and efficacious
manner. Also, a
problem with paper bags is that cutting them, tearing them open, or other
opening techniques
can allow small pieces of paper to enter the application system, which can
also cause plugging
and/or blockage issues. Finally, filling the planter equipment from non-closed
systems with
open lids can allow foreign material such as dirt, seed residue, etc., to
enter the system,
causing plugging. This is especially problematic on windy days.
[00102] The utilization of rigid product containers obviates the problems
mentioned above.
[00103] A low application rate meter device (i.e. agricultural product
metering system) 132
operatively connected to the rigid product container 130 is configured to
dispense the
agricultural products from the product containers (i.e. from a plurality of
sources of low rate
agricultural products sources) 130.
[00104] The material dispensing system of the present invention may be used
with other types
of agricultural implements, but is primarily used with seed planting
equipment. Although the
Figures show a single row of planting equipment, typical planters include
multiple rows, for
example, up to 48 or more.
[00105] Referring now to Figure 8, a simplified schematic illustration of one
embodiment of the
16
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
major components of the system of the present invention is shown, designated
generally as 140.
The seed tube integrated unit 64 provides a signal to the light interface
module 68. Or, the in
cab monitor 50 can provide the signal to the light interface module 68. The
light interface
module 68 signals the air valve 36 and/or liquid valve 48 to apply liquid
agricultural product
and/or dry, flowable agricultural product.
[00106] Although only a couple of arrangements of the liquid and the dry,
flowable agricultural
product input assemblies have been illustrated above, it is understood that
the arrangement of
these input assemblies depends on the product supplied, the type of planter
that is used, and
how that product needs to be placed. For example, although an arrangement has
been
described above as including one liquid and one dry, flowable input assembly,
it is understood
that in some circumstances there may be multiples of the liquid and/or dry,
flowable input
assemblies.
[00107] Referring now to Figure 9, an alternate embodiment of a dry, flowable
agricultural
product input assembly, designated generally as 144, is illustrated, which
allows application in
two directions. A dry, flowable product input tube 146 and air valve 148
cooperate in a bi-
directional housing 150 with a front application port 152 and a rear
application port 154 for
discharging the dry, flowable agricultural product multiple directions if
desired. A unique feature
of this embodiment is that it is capable of pulsing out a more uniform line of
product than an
input assembly with a single output port. Therefore, it can be operated at
very low rates and
pulse a continuous line of agricultural product in the furrow. For example, if
the device pulses a
six inch line of product, it can be fired at every six inches to provide a
continuous application of
product. Therefore, if there is a six inch seed spacing then pulsing with the
seed will result in a
continuous stream of product in the furrow. Another example of pulsing with
low rates is, instead
of synchronized pulsing of product with the seed, there is pulsing every 6
inches (in accordance
with distance traveled) and production of the same results as pulsing with the
seed.
[00108] A sensor apparatus is preferably included that detects when the
delivery point for the
agricultural product is not where it is supposed to be. As background, in
order for synchronized
applications to work, the farmer needs to be informed if for any reason the
product being applied
isn't being placed properly in proximity with the seed. For, example, if
applying a strip that is
very short, the pulsing might be working very well, but if the nozzle is mis-
aimed, that treated
strip will not be in the correct position relative to the seed, and the
desired effect on the crop will
not be realized. Therefore, a sensor apparatus notifies the farmer if the
product delivery point is
not where it is supposed to be.
[00109] In some embodiments, and preferably, a sensor apparatus is included
that detects
when the delivery point for the agricultural product is not where it should
be. An example of such
a sensor apparatus is disclosed and claimed in U.S. Ser. No. 15/822,181
entitled FLOW
SENSOR BASED ON ELECTRICAL CAPACITY.
[00110] Referring now to Figure 10, a single still image picture taken from a
high-speed/slow-
motion video that was taken during an an example test of the operational
advantages of the
17
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
system 10. In this test setup, a multiple low rate agricultural product
application device was
utilized with a single dry, flowable agricultural product input assembly. A
dry, flowable
agricultural product, in this case a placebo white granular calibration
product, was used with
corn seed that was color dyed. The corn seed was applied using a Precision
Planting high-
speed unit mounted on a John Deere row unit. Paper was used under the row unit
traveling at
planter speed. The seed spacing in this example run was 13 inches. As can be
readily seen,
the granules were dispensed in a concentrated pattern in close proximity to
the seed. This
resulted in a zone between each seed that receives little to no chemical. This
is an example of
seed delivery being synchronized with dry, flowable agricultural product.
[00111] Figures 11A, 11B, 110 are sequential still pictures of synchronized
delivery of liquid with
individual seeds. In Figure 11A a stream of liquid is shown being output from
the liquid
agricultural product input assembly. In a synchronized fashion seed is being
output from the
Precision Planting high-speed unit. Figure 11B shows a line of liquid
dispensed on the paper. At
that time the seed is still airborne. Figure 110 shows the seed ready to
impact the liquid on the
paper. A high speed video was used.
[00112] As was the case with dry, flowable product, in another example there
may be non-
synchronized pulsing of liguids with low rates. Instead of synchronized
pulsing of product with
the seed, there is pulsing every 6 inches (in accordance with distance
traveled) and production
of the same results as pulsing with the seed. Instead of using an output
nozzle that squirts a
straight stream, a spray type nozzle is used, such as a flat fan jet nozzle,
which produces a line
of product parallel to the planting direction in the bottom of the furrow. The
advantage of pulsing
in this manner allows use of bigger orifices in the output device providing
less plugging with
denser products.
[00113] Looking at the soil behind the planter is the standard procedure for
checking for
accurate placement of at-planting, in-furrow-applied agriculatural products.
With the system of
the present invention, the application rates of agricultural product(s) are
normally so low that
unaided visual observation is difficult, or maybe even impossible. With the
present system,
product placement can be set and visually confirmed by simultaneously
operating both the
agricultural product application system and the seed dispensing mechanism
while the planter is
stationary and in planting position, and noting the placement of the
product(s) in relation to
individual seeds or seed groupings, as the product(s) and seed strike the
ground or any surface
beneath the planter, in the event the testing process is conducted in a
building with a floor.
[00114] The system of the present invention is particularly adapted for use
with a planter
configured to operate at a high planter speed. As the term "high planter
speed" is used herein it
refers to a speed greater than 5 mph. However, it is emphasized that the
system of the present
invention, in some embodiments, can operate at much lower planter speeds such
as in a range
of between about 2 mph to 5 mph. Thus, the seed sensing device is configured
to sense
placement of seed as appropriate from the planter, and commensurate planter
speed utilized for
a specified purpose.
18
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
[00115] The agricultural product metering system may comprise various types of
systems. For
example, the agricultural product metering system may be a solenoid system or
a syringe-based
pump system. Various pumps can be used, to apply in-furrow liquid products at
low rates. For
example, referring to Figure 12, a syringe-based pump assembly, designated
generally as 158,
is illustrated.
[00116] The syringe-based pump assembly 158 includes a stepper motor 160
connected to a
drive gear 162 operably connected to two screw motors 164. A common lever 166
operably
connected to two syringe assemblies 168, 170 are contained within the pump
assembly housing
172. Each syringe assembly 168, 170 includes a syringe piston 172 and a
syringe element 174.
The liquid output from the pump is synchronized with delivery of the seed by
using the same
seed (planting) sensors described above.
[00117] Use of a syringe-based pump assembly 158 in conjunction with the
synchronized
pulsing techniques discussed herein provides the synergistic ability to
dispense liquid low rate
agricultural products an ultra-low-rate, discussed above as defined as below
0.9 fluid ounces per
1000 row feet. The concept of reducing the total quantity of liquid product
that is applied with
the syringe pump is consistent with the previously described results of ultra-
low rate liquid
application, where deposition or placement of the liquid product is limited to
an area of as little
as one-quarter inch of row spacing, and within one-quarter inch of
individually placed seeds or
seed groupings. The process of using the seed sensing device to control the
pulsed delivery of
the liquid product, such that deposition (application) of the liquid product
in the target area is
synchronized with individual seeds or seed groupings, is consistent for both
syringe pump ultra-
low rate liquid applications and for ultra-low rate liquid synchronized
application that's
accomplished with the modified fuel injector assembly described previously
herein. While the
means of pumping or pushing the liquid product through the application orifice
differs
dramatically between the syringe pump and modified fuel injector, the
objective of providing an
ultra-low rate of liquid product in synchronization with an individual seed or
seed grouping is
consistent, and the highly disparate embodiments demonstrate that one skilled
in the art might
conceive of alternate methods to accomplish this task.
[00118] Thus, the syringe pump provides the capability to apply a single
continuously applied
liquid product at a low rate of less than 3.7 fluid ounces per 1000 row feet
when operated at
speeds of 5 mph or less, or speeds greater than 5 mph. Furthermore the syringe
pump provides
the capability to apply a single synchronized liquid product at an ultra-low
rate of less than 1.0
fluid ounces per 1000 row feet when operated at speeds of 5 mph or less, or
speeds greater
than 5 mph.
[00119] An advantage of certain embodiments of the present invention is that
they can obviate
the use of many complicated electronic driving systems. However, in certain
embodiments
electronic driving systems may be used. For example, it may use a distributed
control system
that includes a main microcontroller, which communicates to a plurality of sub-
controllers. (As
used herein the term sub-controller may alternatively be referred to as a
secondary controller,
19
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
slave controller, or row controller.) The sub-controllers implement commands
received from the
main control unit by applying electric power to a metering system. The
agricultural product
container may contain a memory device for retaining information pertaining to
the material in the
container and to a metering device of the metering system. This information is
used by the main
control unit (i.e. main microcontroller or master controller) and the sub-
controllers to properly
dispense the product.
[00120] The material dispensing system, in some embodiments, is a distributed
control system
that employs the master microcontroller computer located in the operator's cab
or integrated into
the onboard master display and control system of the tractor. This master or
main controller
distributes command and control information via a high speed serial
communications link, via a
power distribution box, to the sub-controllers connected to individual meter
systems. Each row
corresponds to one row in the field being planted. Each individual meter
system is controlled by
its own slave or row controller. The meter system includes an electronic
memory circuit and a
metering or dispensing device. The meter system can be permanently attached to
a union
device which enables product to flow to the meter from the product container
which is also
attached to the union device. The meter system may be attached using a known
tamper-evident
securing system. The row controller includes a material flow sensor which is
integral with the
row controller. The material flow sensor detects the presence or absence of
flow from the
product container.
[00121] The main microcontroller unit may include a display and keypad for
operator interface.
In some embodiments a speed sensing device such as radar, GPS, or wheel speed
sensor is
connected to the main control unit to provide for the tracking/monitoring of
ground speed.
Ground speed is used to modify the material dispensing rate to account for the
planter's speed.
The main control unit is connected to a plurality of junction boxes. The
junction boxes are
operatively positioned between a power distribution box and the secondary
controllers by a high
speed serial communications link. The main controller is in constant
communication through the
communications link to the secondary controllers 60 located on the planter.
[00122] In some embodiments the secondary controllers (i.e. row control units)
allow a method
of multiplexing signals going to the main controller. A benefit is that the
main controller can
control a planter with only nine wires going to a junction box. One pair of
wires is used for serial
communications, three pairs of wires are provided for power to the row control
units and to the
metering devices. Three pairs of wires are used for power to more evenly
distribute the current
requirements. The power distribution box obviates the need for power to be
supplied by the
master controller to the secondary controllers. The power distribution box is
independently
connected to a power source as indicated by numeral designation . The power
distribution box
is also connected to a lift switch. The power distribution box has three
serial ports for
connection to the junction boxes. It includes suitable electronic overload
protectors to prevent
damage to the system. The lift switch prevents operation of the metering
devices when the
planter is raised, I.e., not in planting position, thereby preventing product
from being dispensed
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
when the planter is not lowered into planting position.
[00123] The main controller also contains a suitable non-volatile memory unit,
such as "flash"
memory, a memory card, etc. Information pertaining to the usage and
application of agricultural
products is stored in this non-volatile memory unit. This information is used
to prepare printed
reports which meet EPA reporting requirements. Currently, farmers prepare
these written
reports manually, however, some product containers are equipped with RFID tags
or alternate
means of electronically communicating information about the product(s) being
applied, thus
enabling application records to be created automatically, without requiring
human or operator
input.
[00124] A preferred junction box can connect up to eight row control units to
the power
distribution box. If the planter has more than eight rows, additional junction
boxes can be
connected to the power distribution box. The lift switch is connected to the
power distribution
box. This switch indicates when the planter is not in an operating position.
Other interfaces to
the main control unit may be provided (such as serial or parallel links) for
transmitting
information to other computer systems or printers.
[00125] The row control unit has memory devices and logic devices within to
modify and
implement the commands from the main controller. The row control unit can read
information
from a container memory circuit attached to the container and may manipulate
the commands
from the main controller to properly operate the metering device. For example,
if the
concentration or use rate of product on row 1 is different than the
concentration or use rate of
product on row 8, the row control unit can modify the commands of the main
controller to
properly dispense products to each row. The row control unit also reads
metering device
calibration data from the container memory circuit and modifies the main
controller commands to
account for differences in performance of different metering devices.
[00126] The row control unit allows the possibility to completely change the
programmed
functions of the main controller. As an example, if a pre-programmed row
control unit is placed
on a liquid herbicide sprayer, the main controller would be able to read the
dispenser type
information and operate as a liquid sprayer controller.
[00127] One embodiment shown in the figures uses one row control unit to
control one metering
device and memory unit. A row control unit can control more than one device,
for example, two
metering device and memory units, or one metering device and memory unit and
one seed
hopper and seed planting mechanism.
[00128] The seed planting mechanism typically includes a plurality of
agricultural product tubes
operatively connected to the agricultural product metering system.
[00129] Each container supplies a metering or dispensing device, which allows
controlled
application rates under different conditions. The metering device may be an
electromechanical
solenoid driven device for dry material. Other type of dispensers may be used
for other
materials, such as liquids. One type of metering device is described in U.S.
Pat. No. 7,171,913,
entitled "Self-Calibrating Meter With In-Meter Diffuser". Another type of
metering device is
21
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,782, entitled "Transfer Valve For a Granular
Materials
Dispensing System". Another type of metering device is described in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,524,794,
entitled "Metering Device for Granular Materials". Another type of metering
device for dry
granular material is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,372, entitled Metering
Device for Granular
Materials. Another type of metering device, is described in U.S. Publication
No.
U520170043961A1 , entitled Brush Auger Meter, which describes a device for
metering granular
or powdered product, having a meter housing, an auger housing positioned
within the meter
housing, the auger housing having an inlet opening for receiving the granular
or powdered
product, a rotatable spiral brush mounted within the auger housing, a first
discharge outlet near
one end of the auger housing for discharging granular or powdered product, and
another
opening near another end of the auger housing for discharging granular or
powdered product
not discharged through the first discharge opening. U.S. Pat. No's 7,171,913;
5,687,782;
5,524,794; 5,156,372 and, U.S. Publication No. U520170043961A1 are
incorporated herein by
reference in their entireties.
[00130] The master controller and the secondary controllers are configured to
provide operator
defined multiple groups of rows. Each of the rows in a group has an operator
assigned
dispensing rate and operator assigned agricultural product. In some
embodiments, the operator
will be a pre-established electronic prescription rather than a human being.
The dispensing rate
and agricultural product are controllable by the operator during operation,
according to planting
or field needs. Such individual row control is normally provided from an
electronic prescription
map. The master controller 10 and the secondary controllers 60 are configured
to control
multiple groups of rows simultaneously. A group of rows may include a single
row. Thus, for
example, on a 48 row planter, 48 different products can be applied, each at
its own specific rate,
with the rate being totally variable, such that the rate can be increased,
decreased, or turned
completely off, based on the geographic position of the planter or application
system.
Furthermore, each of the products and their corresponding rate can be recorded
by the master
controller 10 for use in record keeping.
[00131] The combination of an electronic memory and a product container with
attached
corresponding metering device may, in combination, form a material container
capable of
electronically remembering and storing data important to the container, the
material dispensing
system, the agricultural product and the geographic position any time product
is being
dispensed, and the route of travel when the planter is in the planting
position. Among the data
which could be stored are: a serial number unique to that container, product
lot number, type of
product, metering calibration, date of filling, quantity of material in the
container, quantity of
material dispensed including specific rates of application at any given
location, and fields
treated. These stored data can be recalled and updated as needed. The stored
data can also be
used by a metering controller or pumping system by accessing specific
calibration numbers
unique to the container and make needed adjustments, by sounding alarms when
reaching
certain volume of product in a container, or keeping track of usage of the
container to allow
22
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
scheduling of maintenance. The electronically created as-applied records can
also be provided
to various interested parties (e.g., government agencies, food purchasers or
processors, or
consumers) as evidence of the products that were applied and the rate at which
they were
applied, to the field, or to various areas or locales within a field, in which
the crop was produced.
[00132] In one embodiment, after configuration, the operator is able to set
product and
application rate groups. In such an embodiment, there are multiple groups of
rows that are
defined by the operator. The master controller and the secondary controllers
are configured to
control the multiple groups of rows simultaneously. However, it is within the
purview of the
invention, in this embodiment, that the operator defines a single group.
Different groupings will
be discussed below in detail. The operator can define the rates and products
for each row.
[00133] The material dispensing system features and capabilities, in some
embodiments,
include:
[00134] 1) Controls application rate of material under varying operating
conditions. The
application rate(s) can be set by the operator from an operator's console or
can be automatically
read from the material container meter unit.
[00135] 2) Provides actual ground speed information if a ground speed sensor
is attached. A
typical ground speed sensor includes GPS, wheel rpm and radar. In lieu of a
ground speed
sensor, a fixed planting speed may be entered and used to calculate the
application rate of the
product material(s).
[00136] 3) The system monitors material flow and alerts the operator to no
flow, empty
container, or blocked flow conditions.
[00137] 4) The system may monitor and track container material level(s) for
each row.
[00138] 5)The system provides control information and data to a non-volatile
memory for future
downloading.
[00139] 6) The system monitors the planter to allow product to be applied only
when the planter
is in the planting position.
[00140] A typical usage for this system is:
[00141] 1) In some embodiments, for a new product container, the metering
device and memory
unit may be attached to the product container by either the container
manufacturer or at the
container filling site. In other embodiments, the metering device and memory
unit may be
attached to the product container by the grower.
[00142] 2) A computer is connected to the metering device and memory unit. (In
some
embodiments this might be at the time of filling.) The following information
may be electronically
stored in the memory device:
a) Date
b) EPA chemical ID numbers
c) Container serial number
d) Suggested doses, such as ounces per linear row foot for root worm, or
ounces per acre
for grubs, etc. These rates are specified by the manufacturer.
23
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
e) Meter calibration information, depending on type of metering device
f) Tare weight of the container
g) Weight of the full container
[00143] 3) The product container is sealed and prepared for shipping
[00144] 4) The user attaches the product container to a dispensing implement,
such as planter,
sprayer, nurse tank, etc. The main controller receives the information from
the metering device
and memory unit pertaining to proper application rates and prompts the user to
pick the desired
rate(s). The row control unit reads the metering device(s) calibration
information from the
metering device(s) and memory unit(s). This information is used in combination
with commands
from the main controller to properly control the operation of the metering
device(s). The user
may enter a field ID number and any other required information such as number
of rows, width
between rows, etc. The user applies the product(s) to the field. The main
controller monitors the
ground speed and changes the amount(s) being dispensed to keep a constant
rate(s) per acre.
When the user completes the application to a field, additional fields may be
treated. Field data,
including field ID number, crop treated and quantity(ies) applied are recorded
in the main
controller's non-volatile memory. This information may also be recorded in the
metering
device(s) and memory unit for later use by the user, the agrochemical
distributor or product
supplier.
[00145] There may be a group of rows. For example, there may be four groups ¨
Group A,
Group B, Group C, and Group D ¨ designated for a sixteen row planter. The
grouping feature
allows the growers (operators) to apply the correct product at different rates
for designated rows
in one planting operation. This example indicates that Group A includes rows 1-
2 with Aztec
pesticide at a rate of 1.5 ounce per 1000 feet of row. Group B includes rows 3-
8 with Aztec
pesticide at a rate of 2.5 ounce per 1000 feet of row. Group C includes rows 9-
14 with
Counter pesticide at a rate of 2.9 ounce per 1000 feet of row. Group D
includes rows 15-16
with Counter pesticide at a rate of 2.3 ounce per 1000 feet of row.
[00146] This feature allows the grower to use different or the same product at
different rates due
to different seed traits on designated rows. For example, this feature allows
use of a lower
rate(s) of product on triple stacked or quad stacked corn seed (root worm
traits) on most rows
on the planter but on designated rows the grower may be planting refuge corn
seed (non-root
worm trait or non GMO corn). This allows the use of higher rates of product
for the non-traited
corn.
[00147] In certain embodiments the product release on the seed within a row
can be identified
with color or another tracking mechanism such as detection by size
differential. This can
provide differential application of product. For example, different colored
seed rates or products
can be switched by making the seed sensor color sensitive. Other seed
characteristics can
provide this differentiation such as infrared detection (by heating the seed),
magnetic detection,
etc.
[00148] The grouping feature discussed above allows the grower to use
different products at
24
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
different rates so he/she can do comparative evaluations to see which product
and rate works
best for their farming and production practices.
[00149] The grouping feature allows the growers to use different products and
rates as required
by a third party. For example, this feature can be used in seed corn
production where the male
rows typically receive a partial rate of insecticide.
[00150] The grouping feature allows seed corn companies to run different
trials of products and
rates on new seed stock production trials to determine what rates and products
are best for their
particular seed. For example, certain parent seed stock may respond (positive
or negative) to
certain crop protection products and rates of the products. This grouping
feature allows the
research to be accomplished in a timely fashion.
[00151] Setting row groups allows the grower to shut off certain rows while
maintaining flow as
needed from the rest of the row units. This saves product(s) and money where
the product(s)
is/are not needed.
[00152] In some embodiments the present system for dispensing agricultural
products may
include a plurality of sets of agricultural product containers. Each of the
sets of agricultural
product containers is associated with a respective row in the field.
Agricultural product from
each agricultural product container is dispensed in accordance with operator-
defined
instructions to the master controller. The instructions are capable of being
provided to the
master controller during planting allowing the dispensing of individual
product containers to be
controlled. Command data may be of various types and from various input
sources including, for
example, field condition mapping using satellite telemetry combined with GPS
location; previous
year yield data input; soil analysis; soil moisture distribution maps; and,
topographical maps.
[00153] Referring again to Figure 1, the product containers 130, 131 each have
an identification
device 133 that may be positioned in association with a product container for
providing
identification information to a master controller. The identification device
133 is generally affixed
to the container 130, 131. The identification device is preferably a radio-
frequency identification
(RFID) chip for providing identification information to the master controller.
In one embodiment
the master controller 10 assigns the product container 130, 131 and its
operatively connected
meter device to a specific row. Identification information typically includes
product name, rate,
net weight of the product, etc. Preferably, if the product identification is
not for an authorized
product then the operatively connected meter device will not operate. Each
product container
130, 131 generally includes its own RFID tag 133.
[00154] In one embodiment of a planter in accordance with the principles of
the present
invention, sixteen sets of agricultural product containers may be used on a
planter, for example
side by side. For example, one of the containers may have a pesticide such as
Aztec
pesticide for controlling insects. The other container may include, for
example, a growth
regulator for enhancing plant growth. In other embodiments, one or more of the
containers may
include a liquid. Thus, in one embodiment, there may be multiple meters per
row, each meter
being operatively connected to a product container of a set of product
containers.
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
[00155] Applying the product directly into the furrow with the seed can
eliminate the insecticide
dust but still protect the seed. Also, some seed treatments may shorten seed
life thereby
making it impractical to save seed for the next year. Also, treating at
planting time gives the
farmer flexibility to use different seed treatments besides the seed treatment
that the seed
company has applied. Another use is relative to soil inoculants. Soybeans are
inoculated and
re-bagged but a high percentage of the inoculating organisms are dead by
planting time.
Applying the inoculants or other biologicals to the soil at planting time may
greatly reduce the
amount of product used because they can be stored under better conditions.
Farmers have
many other choices of products that may be applied at planting and may desire
to apply more
than one product with the planter.
[00156] Also, split-planter mapping has shown that when two different soil
insecticides are
applied at planting time one insecticide may provide a different yield
response from the other
insecticide. This is because different insecticides work against different
insect species. The
population of insects may vary according to soil types and conditions. Corn
nematodes are
more likely to be in sandy soils and soybean nematodes can vary according to
the PH of the
soil. Other soil insect pest populations vary according to the amount and type
of organic
material and soil moisture in the field. If a planter is equipped with
different insecticides, they
can be applied, by using GPS, to the area where they are needed. Planters
already have the
capability to change hybrids of corn as soil types and characteristics change.
[00157] Thus, the planter can be equipped with several different products and
applied as need.
Also, the products can be applied several different ways as needed. Product
containers can be
mounted in several locations on the planter as needed for application. As
discussed above,
there are several different placement options available for placing the
product into or onto the
soil. For example, the present invention may include, for example, in-furrow
placement and/or
banding above the furrow. As discussed, the system can run, for example 48 row
units, with
different products or rates in each row. Products can be applied together or
applied in different
areas. For example, one product can be applied in-furrow and another placed in
a band. Also,
sometimes multiple products such as seed treatments for disease and inoculants
are applied to
seeds at the same time but there is limited time for planting because they
affect each other and
will not be active unless planted within a specific time. Applying products
which are packaged
individually during a single pass of the planter improves operational
efficiency and gives the
farmer more flexibility.
[00158] Although the figures only show two containers in a set of containers,
a set may include
numerous product containers. Higher crop prices also make multiple treatments
more
economical. The present invention provides application of multiple products to
the same row at
planting time. As future agricultural science grows more products will become
available. The
present invention has the capability to apply them at planting according to
soil type, insect
pressure, soil fertility, and plant requirements.
[00159] In certain embodiments, the effectiveness of soil-applied chemicals
can be increased at
26
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
planting time by inducing seed and chemical granules into the same seed
dispensing tube,
delivering the chemical products and a seed in close proximity with each other
in such a way
that the chemical products are dispersed with the seed as the seed passes
through the seed
dispensing tube. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,938,564, entitled "Method and
System for
Concentrating Chemical Granules Around a Planted Seed," issued to Conrad , et
al., discloses a
system in which chemical granules are dispensed through a granule tube into a
seed dispensing
tube, where the granule tube is connected to the seed dispensing tube at a
location above a
lower opening of the seed dispensing tube, and where the lower opening of the
seed dispensing
tube is covered with a brush. A seed is dispensed through the seed dispensing
tube. The brush
holds chemical granules within the seed dispensing tube such that chemical
granules
accumulate within the seed dispensing tube, and the brush allows a seed and
accumulated
chemical granules to pass through the lower opening when the seed is dispensed
via the seed
dispensing tube.
[00160] Thus, precision placement of chemical around the seed can optimize
chemical
utilization. In certain embodiments the agricultural product may be dry and in
others it may be
liquid.
[00161] As mentioned above, in some embodiments rigid product containers 130
are used
containing low application rate agricultural products. Such rigid product
containers are designed
to maintain product integrity during shipping and storage. A preferred rigid
container is formed
of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The density of high-density polyethylene
can range from
about 0.93 to 0.97 grams/centimeter3. An example of a suitable rigid container
is high density
polyethylene formed of MobilTM HYA-21 HDPE or equivalent material. It
preferably has a wall
thickness of between about 0.17 to 0.28 inches.
[00162] For low rate products, when the weight of the inert ingredients (i.e.
carrier) is lowered
while the weight of the active ingredients is maintained approximately
constant, then the
consistency is maintained within control parameters and pest damage is also
maintained within
acceptable parameters.
[00163] Granules used as carriers may include, for example, the following:
[00164] Amorphous silica- bulk density in a range from about 0.160 to 0.335
g/mL,
[00165] Biodac carrier ¨ bulk density in a range from about 0.64 to 0.79
g/mL,
[00166] Clay¨ bulk density in a range from about 0.40 to 1.12 g/mL,
[00167] Sand ¨ bulk density in a range from about 1.6 to 2.1 g/mL.
[00168] Granules loaded with chemicals will typically have a bulk density
greater than the above
values by about 10 to 30 %.
[00169] A typical clay granule weighs from about 0.07 to 0.09 mg. A typical
Biodac granule
weighs around 0.2 mg. A silica granule weighs from around 0.02 mg to 0.05 mg.
A sand
granule can weigh up to about 5 mg (coarse).
[00170] One example of a granule used as a carrier has a bulk density of 0.866
g/mL, an
average granule size of 510 microns and an average granule weight of 0.082 mg.
27
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
[00171] The agricultural products may be insecticides or a wide variety of
other crop
enhancement agricultural products such as fungicides, plant growth regulators
(PGRs), micro-
nutrients, etc.
[00172] Most current meter designs for dry/granular products have a moving
rotor in them that
acts as a shut off device and is constantly spinning the product inside the
insecticide hopper. As
the application rate is reduced the percentage of granules that are ground up,
relative to the
total quantity of product being applied is affected, and therefore the
application rate is affected.
If a low application rate is used the meter orifice may be smaller than the
free flow rate for the
granules and will result in more grinding and an uneven product flow. Also, at
turnoff, the meter
paddle forms a pool of product around the orifice that flows out as the
planter turns around at
end rows. John Deere & Company and Kinze Manufacturing have made modifications
to
reduce this effect at rates in use today but these modifications would not be
effective at the low
application rate indicated here.
[00173] In one embodiment, the low application rate meter devices 132 have
larger orifices than
previous conventional meter devices so they can free flow at lower rates.
Preferably, the orifice
diameter is in a range of 0.20 inch to 0.50 inch. An example of such a low
application rate meter
device is embodied in the SmartBox Dispensing System which has an orifice
diameter of 0.25
inch to 0.50 inch depending on the rate of the product used. The orifice
diameter must be large
enough to deliver more than the free flow of the intended product. The pulsing
of the meter is
one way to regulate the application rate of the product.
[00174] In industry today it is very common to use a seed treatment. Fungicide
or an insecticide
is used to treat the seed and its amount is limited to that which can be
applied to the outside of
the seed. Conventional dispensing systems are generally held by this
limitation of applying
product on the outside of the seed as a coating. However, if product can be
applied in the
furrow there can be substantial advantages. The present invention provides
these advantages.
In this embodiment, agricultural products are not applied directly onto the
seed itself as a seed
treatment. Instead they are applied in the zone of the seed, i.e. in the
furrow. The present
inventive features provide the ability to provide this placement. The seed
itself is not required to
be treated. Instead, the soil is treated. Use of seed coatings result in
equipment problems,
germination problems/complications, reduced seed viability, length of seed
storage issues, etc.
With the present invention minimization of seed as a carrier is provided. Many
more options are
provided to the farmer obviating issues regarding storing the seed from year
to year.
[00175] Although the system for dispensing agricultural products at a low rate
of the present
invention has been discussed relative to its placement on a planter row unit,
the system can be
positioned on a planter off of the row unit. It can be placed on another part
of the frame of the
planter due to, for example space restrictions, preventing it from being
placed directly on the
planter row unit.
[00176] Referring now to Figure 13, an example display (i.e., user interface
screen) for a
controller for pulsing the liquid valve 48 and the air valve 36 is
illustrated, designated generally
28
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
as 174. The display 174 can be part of the in cab monitor 50 or a stand alone
controller. On
time is the time the valve is applying product each time the valve is
triggered. Off time is how
long the valve is off when running in the check or calibration by pushing the
"Start/Stop" Button.
The Start/ Stop button runs the valve without a seed signal according to the
on and off time
settings. This is used for timing and marking the pulse location for the
physical setup when the
planter is ran in the stationary mode (i.e. still in the shop). If the
operator marks where the seed
hits the bottom of the furrow he can line up where the agricultural product is
applied in relation to
the seed. Due to the low rates, multiple pulses are needed to get enough
volume to see where
the agricultural product is applied. While in the "Burst mode" the operator
can put multiple spots
down rather than a continuous strip. For example, the operator can pulse in
multiple bursts
adjusted by one millisecond timing on and off according to the on/off settings
in a 2 inch strip.
The result is still a continuous line of treatment but in multiple bursts. The
multiple bursts are
triggered by the seed. The cycle setting determines how many times the valves
fires On/Off
during when the seed triggering of the valve to fire. In other if the cycle
time is set for 2 cycles,
the valve will go on, then off, go on, then off.
[00177] The liquid input supply can come from any liquid supply system. The
settings on the
supply controller can be set for the ounces per acre. Then the supply
controller can maintain
the flow as the speed changes. Normally with a common fixed orifice spray type
tip the spray
pressure has to increase about 4 to 1 to double the flow. Technologies are now
known to
increase the flow range without as much pressure change. One is a new sprayer
tip with a
flexible orifice. It is made of a flexible material that the orifice opening
expands as the pressure
increases. It is similar to a rubber nipple on a baby bottle. The other
possibility is modifying a
common sprayer check valve. The standard check valve is just on/off and
designed not to
affect the flow control of the spray tip. Using a modified design of the
standard type gas/liquid
pressure regulator we can replace the ball in the check valve with a cone
shaped needle held in
place by a spring. As the pressure increase the flow increases without a large
pressure
increase. This modification can either be a standalone added device in supply
line or
incorporated into the variable rate flow tip.
[00178] Using the techniques above:
1. High speed pulsing within the target area
2. Flexible orifice
3. Modified check valve spray tip
[00179] Various methods may be utilized to increase the range of ounce per
acre without large
increases supply pressure.
[00180] In some embodiments a common signal can fire multiple valves
simultaneously.
[00181] Information from a closed delivery container's RFID tag may be
combined with the
application equipment's spatial positioning information to create and store,
on a memory device
that is separate and distinct from the container's RFID Tag, a geo-referenced
record that
indicates precisely where and/or when product from the container was dispensed
and applied.
29
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
[00182] An automatically generated electronic record that indicates precisely
where product
from an RFID-tagged container was applied eliminates, for the user, the
requirement to record
by hand the application information associated with product which was
dispensed from the
RFID-tagged container, while also eliminating the potential for human error
associated with
hand-written or hand-entered notes or records.
[00183] An automatically generated electronic record that indicates precisely
which product, the
quantity of product, and the location at which product was dispensed from an
RFID-tagged
container ensures that all product applied from such containers is recorded in
a uniformly
consistent manner. Because the information that identifies the applied product
will come from
the coded information on the container's RFID tag, all product that is applied
from containers
with that same code may be recorded using information that is recorded in the
same format.
Such uniformity of data makes it easier, faster, and more accurate to
aggregate and analyze
application data from multiple containers, users, and locations. Accurate and
cost-effective
analysis of aggregated data enables better and more precise use-
recommendations for future
application of the same product.
[00184] The system may update various "as applied" data in the tag in addition
to the product
quantity data as the product is being dispensed from the cartridge. The as-
applied data may, for
example, include any one or more of the following, in any combination:
= an identifier of the product being dispensed by the cartridge;
= the rate at which the product is being dispensed by the cartridge;
= the current location of the cartridge; and
= the current time.
[00185] Any of the data disclosed herein, such as the as-applied data, may
include one or
more timestamps indicating one or more times associated with the data, such as
a time at which
the data was captured, created, or transmitted. Similarly, any of the data
disclosed herein, such
as the as-applied data, may include geographic information, such as geographic
coordinates
indicating a location associated with the data, such as a location at which
the data was
captured, created, or transmitted. Any such geographic information may, for
example, be
obtained automatically, such as by using GPS technology. The system may, for
example,
include a GPS module (not shown), such as described by Wintemute et al. in
U.S. Patent
Application Pub. No. 2017/0265374A1, for example, which generates output
representing a
current location of the system. Time may also be provided remotely such as via
the GPS signal
or through a separate clock or other time-keeping device. The system may use
the output of
such a GPS module to generate and store any of the location data disclosed
herein.
Embodiments of the present invention may correlate various data with each
other using any of
the timestamps and/or geographic information disclosed herein. For example,
any two units of
data having the same or similar timestamp may be correlated with each other.
Similarly, any
two units of data having the same or similar geographic location may be
correlated with each
other.
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
[00186] One reason to transmit and store the as-applied data over time is to
enable the server
to create an "as-applied map" of the product as it is actually applied to the
field over time. The
system may, for example, apply the product based on pre-selected data
represented by a
prescriptive map, which indicates the amount of the product that is intended
to be applied at
each of a variety of locations in the field. An as-applied map, and a
prescriptive map are
described below. The system may then vary the rate at which the product is
applied at different
locations in the field, in an attempt to apply, at each such location, the
amount of the product
that the prescriptive map specifies should be applied at that location.The
actual amount of the
product that the system applies at any particular location in the field may,
however, deviate from
the amount that the prescriptive map indicates should be applied. The system
may use the
measurements of the actual amounts of the product that were applied at various
locations in the
field to create an as-applied map for the product. The system may then compare
the
prescriptive map to the as-applied map to identify any variations between the
amount of the
product that was prescribed to be applied at each of a plurality of locations
and the amount of
the product that was actually applied at each of those locations.
[00187] One advantage of the techniques disclosed above for tracking changes
in use of
product stored in each cartridge, such as changes in the quantity of the
product over time, is that
these techniques may be performed in real-time, i.e., while quantities of the
product are being
added to and/or dispensed from the cartridge. The term "real-time," as used
herein in connection
with tracking changing quantities of the product, refers to tracking such
changes and repeatedly
updating the tag accordingly, at repeated intervals without a substantial
delay between the
change in the quantity or other use parameter of the product and the resulting
update(s) to the
corresponding product use data in the tag (e.g., the product quantity data
and/or the product
type data).
[00188] Another advantage of the techniques disclosed above for tracking
changes in the
quantity of the product over time is that these techniques may be performed
automatically, i.e.,
without human intervention. For example, existing systems typically require
the human operator
of a tractor or planter to manually record the amount of product that has been
applied to a field.
This manual process has a variety of drawbacks. For example, manual recording
of product
application is prone to error for a variety of reasons, such as the difficulty
of manually measuring
the amount of product that has been dispensed and limitations in the
operator's memory. As
another example, manual recording of product application is prone to
intentional fraud. As yet
another example, manual recording can require a significant amount of effort,
which may result
in delays in the recording process. Embodiments of the present invention
address all of these
problems. For example, embodiments of the present invention may track changes
in the product
in the cartridge (such as changes in the type of the product, increases in the
quantity of the
product, and decreases in the quantity of the product) automatically, i.e.,
without requiring
manual human input. Such automatic tracking may be performed, for example, in
the operation
of filling the cartridge), the operation of updating the tag as the product is
being dispensed, and
31
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
the operation of updating the as-applied data. This automatic tracking
eliminates the need for
the human operator to perform tracking manually and thereby avoids all of the
problems of
manual tracking described above. Furthermore, embodiments of the present
invention may
even prohibit the human operator from manually recording or modifying
automatically-recorded
information (such as the product quantity data, product type data, cartridge
ID, and as-applied
data), thereby both eliminating the risk of inadvertent human error and the
risk of intentional
fraud.
[00189] Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may track and record
product-
related data both automatically and in real-time. This combination of features
enables changes
in the type and quantity of the product to be tracked more quickly, easily,
and reliably than
existing systems which rely on manual human input. For example, by
automatically monitoring
the rates at which the product is applied in various locations over time, by
tying such information
to the ID of the cartridge that dispensed the product, and by transmitting all
such data to the
server for storage in the measurement data, embodiments of the present
invention may create
an as-applied map of the product as actually applied to the field, all without
the involvement of
the operator or farmer. Such capabilities provide real inventory management
benefits to the
manufacturers of the product and to the supply chain between the manufacturer
and the end
user of the cartridge. Furthermore, these features eliminate the burden of
having to store the as-
applied data locally (e.g., in a flash drive or other physical medium) and
then to physically
transport it to a computer, by enabling the as-applied data to be transmitted
wirelessly,
automatically, and in real-time to the server.
[00190] The ability to generate an as-applied map automatically enables the
agricultural
products that were applied to specific crops to be tracked without being
dependent on manual
reporting from farmers for veracity or accuracy. This ability to track which
products were applied
to individual crops, independently of farmer reporting, is particularly useful
for satisfying
demands from consumers to know which products were applied to the foods they
purchase and
for satisfying the need of regulatory agencies and food processors to obtain
access to field-
specific agricultural product use.
[00191] The retailer invoices the farmer for the amount of product used by the
farmer from the
cartridge. This invoicing process may be performed in any of a variety of
ways. For example,
the cartridge interface device may include a product use determination module.
In general, the
product use determination module may determine the amount of product that was
used by the
farmer (e.g., the amount of product that was dispensed from the cartridge
and/or the total area
or rows in fields treated with the product) since the cartridge was acquired
by the farmer, since
the cartridge was last filled, or since the farmer was last invoiced for use
of the product and/or
cartridge. The product use determination module may product an output signal
representing this
amount of the product used.
[00192] The product use determination module may produce the product use
amount signal in
any of a variety of ways. For example, the tag reader may produce, based on
the data read by
32
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
the tag reader from the tag, a read data signal representing some or all of
the data read by the
tag reader from the tag. The read data signal may, for example, represent all
data read by the
tag reader from the tag. If the read data already includes data representing
an amount of the
product used by the farmer, then the product use determination module may
identify this amount
in the read data signal and output that amount in the product use amount
signal. As another
example, if the read data signal includes data representing a previous amount
of the product in
the cartridge (e.g., the amount of the product that was contained in the
cartridge when the
farmer previously obtained or filled the cartridge with the product) and data
representing the
current amount of the product in the cartridge, then the product use
determination module may
calculate the difference between these two amounts and output the resulting
difference (e.g.,
current amount minus previous amount) in the product use amount signal.
[00193] The product use determination module may calculate an invoice amount
based on the
identified amount of the product used, in any of a variety of ways, and output
an invoice amount
signal representing the calculated invoice amount. For example, the product
use determination
module may identify a unit price of the product (e.g., price per unit of
volume, mass, length of
rows treated, and/or areas of fields treated) and multiply the unit price by
the amount (e.g.,
volume, mass, length or area) of product used (represented by the product use
amount signal)
to produce a product representing the invoice amount, which the product use
determination
module may include in the invoice amount signal.
[00194] The product use determination module may identify the unit price of
the product in any
of a variety of ways. For example, the product use determination module may
identify the type
of the product, such as by identifying the type of the product based on the
product type data, as
read by the tag reader from the tag and included in the read data. The product
use
determination module may identify the unit price of the product based on the
type of the product,
such as using the product type to look up a corresponding unit price in a
mapping (e.g.,
database table) of product types to unit prices.
[00195] Regardless of how the amount of product actually used is calculated,
charging the
farmer only for the amount of the product that the farmer actually used may
both reduce the cost
of each cartridge use for the farmer and encourage the farmer to use the
cartridge because of
the knowledge that the price the farmer will pay for the cartridge will be
limited by the amount of
the product that the farmer actually uses.
[00196] The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments
of the devices
and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples.
Insofar as such
block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples contain one or more functions
and/or operations, it
will be understood by those within the art that each function and/or operation
within such block
diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented, individually and/or
collectively, by a
wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination
thereof. In one
embodiment, several portions of the subject matter described herein may be
implemented via
Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate
Arrays (FPGAs),
33
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586 PCT/US2019/046516
digital signal processors (DSPs), General Purpose Processors (GPPs),
Microcontroller Units
(MCUs), or other integrated formats. However, those skilled in the art will
recognize that some
aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, in whole or in part, can be
equivalently
implemented in integrated circuits, as one or more computer programs running
on one or more
computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computer
systems), as one
or more programs running on one or more processors (e.g., as one or more
programs running
on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination
thereof, and that
designing the circuitry and/or writing the code for the software/and or
firmware would be well
within the skill of one skilled in the art in light of this disclosure.
[00197] In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
mechanisms of some of the
subject matter described herein may be capable of being distributed as a
program product in a
variety of forms, and that an illustrative embodiment of the subject matter
described herein
applies regardless of the particular type of signal bearing medium used to
actually carry out the
distribution. Examples of a signal bearing medium include, but are not limited
to, the following: a
recordable type medium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a Compact
Disc (CD), a Digital
Video Disk (DVD), a digital tape, a computer memory, etc.; and a transmission
type medium
such as a digital and/or an analog communication medium (e.g., a fiber optic
cable, a
waveguide, a wired communication link, a wireless communication link (e.g.,
transmitter,
receiver, transmission logic, reception logic, etc.).
[00198] Those having skill in the art will recognize that the state of the art
has progressed to the
point where there is little distinction left between hardware, software,
and/or firmware
implementations of aspects of systems; the use of hardware, software, and/or
firmware is
generally (but not always, in that in certain contexts the choice between
hardware and software
can become significant) a design choice representing cost vs. efficiency
tradeoffs. Those
having skill in the art will appreciate that there are various vehicles by
which processes and/or
systems and/or other technologies described herein can be effected (e.g.,
hardware, software,
and/or firmware), and that the preferred vehicle will vary with the context in
which the processes
and/or systems and/or other technologies are deployed. For example, if an
implementer
determines that speed and accuracy are paramount, the implementer may opt for
a mainly
hardware and/or firmware vehicle; alternatively, if flexibility is paramount,
the implementer may
opt for a mainly software implementation; or, yet again alternatively, the
implementer may opt for
some combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Hence, there are
several possible
vehicles by which the processes and/or devices and/or other technologies
described herein may
be effected, none of which is inherently superior to the other in that any
vehicle to be utilized is a
choice dependent upon the context in which the vehicle will be deployed and
the specific
concerns (e.g., speed, flexibility, or predictability) of the implementer, any
of which may vary.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that optical aspects of
implementations will typically
employ optically-oriented hardware, software, and or firmware.
[00199] As mentioned above, other embodiments and configurations may be
devised without
34
CA 03110165 2021-02-19
WO 2020/046586
PCT/US2019/046516
departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended
claims.
