Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01C—PLANTING; SOWING; FERTILISING
  • A01C7/00—Sowing
  • A01C7/02—Hand sowing implements
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01C—PLANTING; SOWING; FERTILISING
  • A01C15/00—Fertiliser distributors
  • A01C15/02—Fertiliser distributors for hand use
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01M—CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS; APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS
  • A01M3/00—Manual implements, other than sprayers or powder distributors, for catching or killing insects, e.g. butterfly nets
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
  • B65D83/06—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing powdered or granular material

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a spreader for distributing particulate matter, in particular, but not limited to, particulate matter for horticultural use.
• Such horticultural products generally comprise one or more of fertilisers, pesticides and seeds, and/or mixtures of such products.
• a horticultural spreader for distributing particulate matter comprising a container for the particulate matter having an opening, a handle assembly for engagement with the container, and a flow restrictor in the opening and having an aperture through which the particulate matter flows in use, wherein the aperture is calibrated in size according to the particulate matter contained within the container.
• the same or similar containers can be filled a source with any one of a multitude of particulate products provided as the final horticultural product, with a flow restrictor having a suitably sized aperture in or inserted into the opening of the container.
• a flow restrictor having a suitably sized aperture in or inserted into the opening of the container.
• a horticultural spreader comprising a handle assembly and a container body, wherein the handle assembly and container body are rotatably mountable and demountable with respect to one another.
• the handle assembly has means for releasable engagement with a container, and/or the container is adapted for releasable engagement with the handle assembly.
• the handle assembly comprises means for releasable engagement with the container, the means comprising a mounting ring, the mounting ring being adapted to rotatably engage with a complementary flange provided around an opening in the container.
• the mounting ring need not be a continuous ring, but rather may comprise a plurality of curved sections having a common centre of radius and which together generally define a ring formation suitable for coupling to a flange of the container.
• the mounting ring is a locking ring comprising a plurality of lug formations, the lugs being adapted for mutual engagement with respective complementary channel formations provided on the flange of the container
• the lug formations are arranged in two groups, each group disposed generally at opposing sides of the mounting ring.
• the channel formations are arranged in two groups, each group disposed generally at opposing sides of the flange.
• the locations of the respective groups of channel formations on the flange corresponds with the locations of the complementary lugs on the mounting ring of the handle assembly such that the coupling of the container and handle assembly is "keyed".
• a fail-safe method of correctly aligning the handle assembly and the container is provided.
• the handle assembly can be placed generally onto the container, the two parts being securely coupled together by mutual rotation so that when full locking engagement of the respective parts is achieved, the handle assembly and container are correctly aligned for use.
• the channel formations are substantially inverted L-shaped channels so that the coupling between the flange of the container and the mounting ring of the handle assembly is a bayonet coupling.
• the container further comprises a tongue formation which projects rearwardly from the opening in the direction of a hand grip portion of the handle assembly in use.
• the tongue formation comprises a lower surface adapted to slidably engage with a complementary tongue or tab formation provided on the handle assembly when the container and handle assembly are coupled together.
• the mutually engaged tongue formations of the container and handle assembly act as the main load bearing components of the horticultural spreader and so carry the majority of the weight of the container and its contents during lifting and use.
• the weight of the container and its contents is distributed across the handle assembly so forces acting on the coupled interface of the mounting ring of the handle assembly and the flange of the container are reduced.
• the tongue provided on the container acts as a lever which assists a user to tilt the horticultural spreader towards a horizontal orientation during use.
• the tongue formation provided on the container comprises a wedge- shaped wing formation which provides rigidity and prevents deformation of said tongue during use.
• the wedge shape enables the tongue formation to fit within the form of the contours of the handle assembly.
• the flow restrictor is removable, and optionally it is press-fitted into the opening provided in the container.
• the aperture is closed by a removable closure member such as a tab, cap or frangible seal.
• the container is adapted to receive a closure cap to close it after filling and prior to use, for example when the container is to be transported or placed on display for sale, or after use to close the container when it is demounted from the handle assembly.
• the closure cap is provided with a plurality of lugs so that the closure cap may be rotatably coupled to the flange of the container via the channel formations provided on the flange. In this way, a filled container can be sealed and sold as a separate refill item.
• the handle assembly further comprises a distribution end and an opposing hand grip end, the hand grip end being downwardly curved from the rear of the distribution end.
• the handle assembly is formed from two moulded halves adapted for snap- fitment to each other.
• hand grip end is economically formed having a palm rest portion and a finger grip.
• the finger grip may be formed as a separate component adapted for snap-fitting to the handle assembly.
• an aperture which is located in use above the aperture provided in the flow restrictor of the container so that particulate matter to be spread can pass from the container and through the handle assembly, and optionally through to a distribution chute.
• the aperture in the handle assembly is substantially surrounded by the mounting ring.
• the mounting ring of the handle assembly provides both a coupling means between the handle assembly and the container, as well as defining a passageway through which particulate matter to be spread passes between the container, and optionally through a distribution chute in use.
• the horticultural product further comprises of a distribution chute adapted for mounting to the handle assembly.
• the distribution chute is pivotally mountable, and the handle assembly could comprise spaced apart mounts between which the distribution chute is pivotally mountable.
• a distribution chute can be pivotally mounted to the handle assembly such that the distribution chute is movable between a stowed configuration in which it is folded substantially flush with an upper surface of the handle assembly, and a distribution configuration, whereby it is folded outwardly from the handle assembly.
• the mounts are disposed towards opposing sides of the aperture of the handle assembly.
• the distribution chute is of two-part construction having a first, upper portion and a second, lower portion which are adapted for mutual assembly to define a conduit having an inlet end and an outlet end through which particulate matter enters and is dispensed from said chute.
• the inlet end is pivotally mounted between the mounts provided on handle assembly.
• the inlet end is mountable between the mounts provided on handle assembly as the two moulded halves of the handle assembly are brought together for snap-fitment.
• mounting of distribution chute to handle assembly may be by snap- fitment.
• the inlet end of the lower portion of the distribution chute is provided with an aperture that is in fluid communication with the aperture in the handle assembly when said chute is in a distribution configuration, i.e. when folded outwardly from the handle assembly.
• cross-members or webs extending transverse the inlet end of the upper and lower portions are operable to close the aperture in the handle assembly so that particulate material is unable to pass through the handle assembly and into the distribution chute.
• the distribution chute is formed having one or more elongate webs which divide its interior into a plurality of separate channels.
• the one or more elongate webs extend from an upper portion of the distribution chute.
• the separate channels ensure an even spread of particulate material is maintained when the horticultural spreader is tilted to one side during use.
• proximate the outlet end of the distribution chute there is further provided a lip having a convex formation provided on an upper surface thereof.
• the convex formation is a separate component that is press- fitted onto a suitable receiving formation provided on the lip.
• the convex formation is integrally formed on the lip.
• the convex formation is arranged on the lip so that matter exiting the spreader impinges against said convex formation, whereby it is scattered evenly and widely over the lip in a divergent manner. In this way, the convex formation disperses particulate matter from the spreader over an increased spreadwidth that is in excess of the width of the spreader apparatus.
• the lip is formed on a lower portion of the distribution chute.
• the convex formation has the appearance of a ball, or a portion of a ball.
• the container is formed having a concave rear surface in the area proximate the hand grip portion of the handle assembly in use. In this way, an enlarged gap is provided for a user's fingers to extend into.
• the handle assembly, container, and distribution chute are all formable from suitable plastics materials and are susceptible for manual assembly and disassembly without the need for tools or other specialized equipment.
• Figure 1 and Figure 2 are schematic illustrations showing a horticultural spreader in accordance with the present invention.
• Figure 3 is an exploded drawing of the horticultural spreader of Figures 1 and 2;
• Figure 4 is a detailed view of the underside of a handle portion of the horticultural spreader shown in Figure 3;
• Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a horticultural spreader showing connection of a handle assembly to a container;
• Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of the container in accordance with the invention.
• a horticultural spreader 1 comprises a handle assembly 10, a container 20 and a distribution chute 30.
• distribution chute 30 is pivotally mounted to handle assembly 10 such that the distribution chute is movable between a stowed configuration in which it is folded substantially flush with an upper surface of the handle assembly ( Figure 1), and a distribution configuration, whereby it is folded outwardly from the handle assembly ( Figure 2).
• container 20 comprises an opening 21 at an upper in use end through which particulate matter to be spread exits said container.
• Container 20 further comprises means for demountable engagement with handle assembly 10, the means comprising an upstanding flange 22 provided around the opening 21, the flange 22 having a plurality of channel formations 23 disposed at locations around said flange and configured for mutual engagement with complementary lug formations 16 disposed radially on a mounting ring arrangement 15 of handle assembly 10 (see Figures 4 and 5).
• channel formations 23 are arranged in two groups, each group disposed generally at opposing sides of upstanding flange 22.
• Channel formations 23 are substantially inverted L-shaped channels so that the coupling between flange 22 and mounting ring 15 is a bayonet coupling.
• FIG 5 which is a cross-sectional view of a spreader in the plane x-x indicated in Figure 1, the locations of the respective groups of formations 23 correspond with the locations of the complementary lugs 16 on mounting ring 15 of the handle assembly 10 such that the coupling of the container 20 and handle assembly 10 is "keyed" so that a fail-safe method of correctly aligning the two components is provided.
• handle assembly 10 can be placed generally onto container 20, the handle assembly and container being securely coupled together by mutual rotation so that when full locking engagement of the is achieved, the handle assembly and the container are in correct ergonomic alignment and opening 14 is aligned with opening 27 of flow restrictor 26 as shown in Figure 3 and as described below.
• the flow restrictor is not shown in Figure 5.
• container 20 further comprises a tongue formation 24 which projects rearwardly from opening 21 in the direction of a hand grip portion 12 of the spreader in use.
• Tongue 24 comprises a lower surface 25 adapted to slidably engage with a complementary tongue or tab formation 17 provided on handle assembly 10 ( Figures 4 and 5) when container 20 and handle assembly 10 are coupled together as described above.
• mutually engaged tongues 24 and 17 act as the main load bearing components of spreader 1 and so carry the majority of the weight of the container and its contents during lifting and use. In this way, the weight of the container and its contents is distributed across the handle assembly and so forces acting on the coupling of mounting ring 15 and flange 22 are reduced in magnitude.
• mounting ring 15 need not be a continuous ring, but rather may comprise a plurality of curved sections 15a having a common centre of radius and which together generally define a ring formation 15 suitable for coupling to flange 22 as described above and as shown in Figures 4 and 5.
• tongue formation 24 comprises a wedge-shaped wing formation which provides rigidity and prevents deformation of said tongue during use.
• the wedge-shape enables said formation to fit within the contours of the handle assembly.
• container 20 further comprises a flow restrictor 26 which could be formed with the container, or other fixed to the container, or which is press-fitted into opening 21.
• Flow restrictor 26 comprises an aperture 27 through which particulate material being the horticultural product flows.
• Aperture 27 is calibrated in size according to the particular horticultural material or product contained within the container. For example, where the container is to contain a horticultural product which requires only a limited volume to be dispensed from the spreader, the size of the aperture can be smaller than that for a product which requires a larger volume to be dispensed.
• containers 20 can be filled at source with any one of a multitude of horticultural products with a flow restrictor 26 and having a suitably sized aperture 27 inserted into opening 21.
• container 20 provides a versatile, multiuse container which merely requires the insertion of specific flow restrictor where necessary, to enable correct use with any horticultural products placed therein.
• a removable closure member such as a tab, cap or frangible seal (not shown in the Figures) may be provided to cover aperture 27.
• closure cap 29 can be fitted to the container 20 to close it after filling and prior to use, for example when the container is to be transported or placed on display for sale, or after use, for closing container 20 when it is demounted from handle assembly 10.
• closure cap 29 is provided with a plurality of lugs (not shown), so that the closure cap may be rotatably coupled to the flange 22 as described previously with respect to the coupling of the handle assembly 10 to flange 22. In this way, a filled container can be sealed and sold as a refill item separate from a handle assembly 10 component.
• handle assembly 10 further comprises a distribution end 11 and an opposing hand grip end 12, the hand grip end being downwardly curved from the rear of the distribution end 11.
• handle assembly 10 is formed from two moulded halves that are adapted for snap-fitment to each other however it will be appreciated that handle 10 assembly may alternatively be formed as a unitary component.
• Hand grip end 12 is economically formed having a palm rest portion 12a and a finger grip 13.
• finger grip 13 may be formed as a separate component adapted for snap-fitting to the handle assembly 10.
• the handle assembly 10 is provided with an aperture 14 which is located in use above aperture 27 provided in flow restrictor 26 of container 20 so that particulate matter to be spread can pass from container 20 and out through the handle assembly 10 to the distribution chute 30.
• aperture 14 is substantially surrounded by mounting ring 15.
• mounting ring 15 of handle assembly 10 not only provides a coupling means between the handle assembly 10 and the container 20, but also defines a passageway through which particulate matter to be spread passes between container 20 and distribution chute 30 in use.
• handle assembly 10 further comprises spaced apart mounts 18 between which a distribution chute 30 is pivotally mountable.
• Mounts 18 are disposed at opposing sides of aperture 14.
• Distribution chute 30 is of two-part construction having a first, upper portion 31 and a second, lower portion 32 which are adapted for mutual assembly to define a conduit having an inlet end 33 and an outlet end 34 through which particulate matter enters and is dispensed from said chute.
• Inlet end 33 is pivotally mounted between mounts 18 provided on handle assembly 10 ( Figure 2].
• the inlet end of distribution chute 30 is mountable between the mounts 18 as the two moulded halves of the handle assembly 10 are brought together for snap- fitment.
• mounting of distribution chute 30 to mounts 18 may be conveniently achieved by snap-fitment.
• inlet end 33 of lower portion 32 is provided with an aperture 35 that is in fluid communication with aperture 14 of the handle assembly when chute 30 is in a distribution configuration, i.e. when folded outwardly from the handle assembly.
• a cross-member or web 36 extending transverse the inlet end 33 of lower portion 32 and a cross- member or web 37 extending transverse the inlet end 33 of upper portion 31 are operable to close aperture 14 so that particulate material is unable to pass through the handle assembly and into the distribution chute.
• upper portion 31 of distribution chute 30 is formed having one or more elongate webs 38 which divide the interior of the distribution chute into plurality of separate channels 38a, 38b as shown in Figures 2 and 4.
• the volume of particulate matter flowing through the chute is divided so that when tilted or moved sideways, a proportion will remain be directed onto the dispersing arrangement provided at the terminal end of said chute as described with reference to lip 40 and a convex formation 41, below. In this way, scattering and even spreading of the horticultural product is maintained when the spreader is tilted to one side during use.
• a lip 40 having a convex formation 41 on an upper surface thereof. Lip 40 is formed on lower portion 32. Convex formation 41 is provided on lip 40 so that matter exiting the spreader impinges against said convex formation, whereby it 201
• Convex formation 41 disperses particulate matter from the spreader over an increased spreadwidth that is in excess of the width of the spreader apparatus.
• Convex formation 41 may be integrally formed on lip 40 or, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, may be a separate component that is press-fitted onto a suitable receiving formation 42 provided on lip 40.
• convex formation 41 as a separate component it can be readily formed from a material having a different colouring or material properties from the other component parts of the horticultural spreader.
• container 20 is formed having a concave rear surface 21a in the area proximate handle 12 in use. In this way, an enlarged gap is provided for a user's fingers to extend into. This enlarged gap is particularly advantageous as it accommodates a user's hand whilst wearing thick protective gloves, such as gardeners' gloves.
• handle assembly 10, container 30, and distribution chute 30 are all formed from suitable plastics materials and are susceptible for manual assembly and disassembly without the need for tools or other specialized equipment.
• the handle assembly 10, container 30, and distribution chute 30 are formed by moulding.
• container 20 is refillable so that a user can replenish it with replacement contents obtained from bulk packages.

Landscapes

• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Soil Sciences (AREA)
• Environmental Sciences (AREA)
• Pest Control & Pesticides (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Insects & Arthropods (AREA)
• Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
• Zoology (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Fertilizing (AREA)

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Citations (6)

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• 2012
  • 2012-08-01 GB GB201213656A patent/GB201213656D0/en not_active Ceased
• 2013
  • 2013-07-19 WO PCT/GB2013/051935 patent/WO2014020312A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2013-07-19 WO PCT/GB2013/051934 patent/WO2014020311A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2013-07-19 GB GB1312962.2A patent/GB2506006B/en active Active
  • 2013-07-19 GB GB1312960.6A patent/GB2506005B/en active Active

Patent Citations (6)

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