Automated electronically controlled microsprayer

Details Automated electronically controlled microsprayer Automated electronically controlled microsprayer

2001-01-15

2002-06-25

Ganey, Steven J. (Department: 3752)

Fluid sprinkling, spraying, and diffusing

Processes

C239S069000, C239S070000, C239S373000, C239S584000, C239S600000, C222S399000, C222S646000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06409093

ABSTRACT:

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for periodically dispensing a fluid over an area by spraying. The present invention particularly relates to an electronic micro-dispensing apparatus for spraying pheromones in controlled amounts for a short duration in timed intervals to control insects in an outdoor setting such as an orchard.
(2) Description of the Related Art
Disruption of intraspecific chemical communication in insects can be accomplished by controlled release of synthetic pheromone to permeate the air within a crop (Cardè and Minks, Control of moth pests by mating disruption: successes and constraints, “Annu. Rev. Entomol.” 40:559-585 (1995). Commercial application of this principle for control of crop pests has led to the development of various devices that provide a pheromone reservoir and controlled release of the contents into the crop. A common method of pheromone release relies upon evaporation from small pieces of polymer impregnated or filled with pheromone. These devices can be relatively simple to construct and apply, but a high density of devices is required per unit area (McDonough et al, Performance characteristics of a commercial controlled-release dispenser of sex pheromone for control of codling moth (
Cydia pomonella
) by mating disruption, “J. Chem. Ecol.” 18:2177-2189 (1992). Because the pheromones of some insect species are prone to oxidative and photodegradation (Millar, J. G., Degradation and stabilization of E8-E10-dodecadienol, the major component of the sex pheromone of the codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) “J. Econ. Entomol.” 88:1425-1432 (1995), precautions must be taken to shield labile pheromones to maintain behavioral activity throughout a full growing season. Pheromone also can be encapsulated in semipermeable polymeric membranes to produce a formulation that is applied directly onto the crop using standard agricultural technology (Vickers, R. A. and Rothschild, G. H. L., Use of sex pheromones for control of codling moth, pp. 339-354. In L. P. S. van der Geest and H. H. Evenhuis [eds.], Tortricid moths: their biology, natural enemies and control, Elsevier, Amsterdam (1991). These systems are usually characterized by first-order decay release rates, making long-term disruption with a single application problematic. Application from a high density of sources is conducted to uniformly permeate a crop with pheromone.
A more recently developed approach is to release the same total amount of pheromone per unit area, but from far fewer point sources, thus relying on wind movement to disperse the pheromone throughout the crop. The super-low density approach to dispensing pheromones has been tested with devices that provide intermittent release, to provide predetermined release rates and a stable environment for a large reservoir of pheromone prior to its release. Reduction of insect pest populations and crop damage has been reported in studies of the efficacy of this approach in field crops (Shorey et al, Widely separated pheromone release sites for disruption of sex pheromone communication in two species of Lepidoptera, “Environ. Entomol.” 25:446-451 (1996); (Shorey et al, Disruption of pheromone communication in
Spodoptera exigua
(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in tomatoes, alfalfa, and cotton, “Environ. Entomol.” 23:1529-1533 (1994); (Baker et al, Disruption of sex pheromone communication in the blackheaded fireworm in Wisconsin cranberry marshes by using MSTRS™ devices, “J. Agric. Entomol.” 14:449-457 (1997), tree crops (Shorey, H. H. and Gerber, R. G., Use of puffers for disruption of sex pheromone communication among navel orangeworm moths (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in almonds, pistachios, and walnuts, “Environ. Entomol.” 25:1154-1157 (1996); (Shorey et al, “Use of puffers for disruption of sex pheromone communication of codling moths (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in walnut orchards, “Environ. Entomol.” 25:1398-1400 (1996), stored products (Mafra-Neto, A. and Baker, T. C., Timed, metered sprays of pheromone disrupt mating of
Cauda cautella
(Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) “J. Agric. Entomol.” 13:149-168 (1996) and cranberry marshes (Baker et al, Ibid.); Fadamiro et al, Suppression of mating by blackheaded fireworm (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in Wisconsin cranberry marshes using MSTRS™ devices “J. Agric. Entomol.” 15:377-386 (1998). The release devices have been referred to as “puffers” (Shorey et al, Ibid.) and “misters” (MSTRS™) (Baker et al, Ibid), and though these studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach, the devices are modifications of preexisting technology designed for indoor use. Hardware reliability is critical with this approach because at the low density of deployment, any failure to release pheromone has a large impact on the total release rate per unit area. This requirement may exceed the design limits of current technologies for super-low density release of pheromone, and for commercial use the grower would expect season-long operation.
In the past, pheromones for disruption of insect chemical communication have been released from impregnated solids like rubber and plastic in sizes ranging from sprayed microcapsules to foot-long strips hung on trees, open-ended hollow fibers where evaporation rate is controlled by size of the openings, and hollow polyethylene tubes having their lumen filled with chemical and heat-sealed at the end. Release rate from these “ropes” or other such releasers having an undiluted chemical reservoir is most preferably constant until the reservoir is exhausted.
A disadvantage of the above-mentioned dispersers is that they are perpetually “on” once deployed and cannot retain their chemical during periods when, due to pest life cycle, there may be no need to dispense the chemical. Dispensing the chemical only when needed is something that is economically desirable. Within the past two years, applied entomologists have adapted automatic aerosol dispensers to surmount this problem of wasting precious volatile chemicals by dispensing them indiscriminately over time. Automatic aerosol dispensers are used to dispense room deodorants or sometimes fumigants for insect pest control at timed intervals. At the intervals (e.g., 30 min. interval) a battery-powered motor turns gears attached to a lever that depresses the valve of an aerosol can, emitting a short pulse of can contents. Because many moth pests mate only at night, some automatic aerosol dispensers used for insect sex attractant release employ a photocell that precludes release in daylight. For this application, pheromone must be formulated with a propellant and packaged in a conventional spray can, which protects chemicals from exposure to the degradative factors of light and oxygen. The aerosol sprays onto a cloth pad from which it evaporates at a decreasing rate between pulses of spray.
Currently available are automatic aerosol dispensers which require a substantial amount of force (about 4 kg) to depress the aerosol can control valve. In addition, the mechanics and circuitry used to depress the aerosol control can valve on existing models are not maximally efficient and hence are more expensive than necessary. Furthermore, expensive and specialized equipment is required to charge or recharge an aerosol can. The currently available aerosol dispensers also have limited flexibility in control of their release of chemicals.
The related art has shown various types of automatic dispensing systems and apparatus. Illustrative are U.S. Pat. No. 3,305,134 to Carmichael et al; U.S. Pat. No. 3,523,646 to Waldrum; U.S. Pat. No. 4,272,019 to Halaby, Jr.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,186 to Alperin and U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,435 to Stout et al.
Carmichael et al describes an automatic spray device which will automatically and periodically dispense a compressed fluid. The device is used in connection with a pressure pack or aerosol container. The device comprises regulator valve mechanics connected to the pressure pack for regulating the exit f

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Automated electronically controlled microsprayer does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Automated electronically controlled microsprayer, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Automated electronically controlled microsprayer will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2905653