# US 11,432,480 B2 · Spreading device, method and powder-like mixture composition for controlling or preventing forest pathogens on tree stumps > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,432,480 B2 - Document ID: US11432480B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/276,827 - Filed: 2019-02-15 - Published: 2019-10-17 - Granted: 2022-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2018-02-15 - Applicants: EnviOn Oy; Danstar Ferment AG - Inventors: Lauri Eskola; Pekka Seiskari - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11432480B2 ## CPC - A01G 23/099: Auxiliary devices, e.g. felling wedges - A01G 7/06: Treatment of growing trees or plants, e.g. for preventing decay of wood, for tingeing flowers or wood, for prolonging the life of plants - A01M 9/0007: {Pneumatic dusters (electrostatic spraying apparatus B05B5/00; single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use B05B11/00)} - A01M 9/0053: {Mechanical dusters} - A01N 25/08: containing solids as carriers or diluents - A01N 25/12: Powders or granules (A01N25/26 takes precedence) - A01N 63/30: Microbial fungi; Substances produced thereby or obtained therefrom - C12N 1/145: Fungi isolates - A01G: HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING (picking of fruits, vegetables, hops or the like A01D46/00; propagating unicellular algae C12N1/12) - A01M: CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS (appliances for catching swarms or drone-catching A01K57/00; fishing A01K69/00 - {A01K99/00}; biocides, pest repellants or attractants A01N); APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS - A01N: PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF (preservation of food or foodstuff A23); BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES (preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes which kill or prevent the growth or proliferation of unwanted organisms A61K); PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS - C12N: MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA (microbiological testing media C12Q1/00) ## Abstract A spreading device, a powder-like mixture composition and a method for spreading the composition for control or prevent forest pathogens on tree stumps are disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A spreading system adapted to administer onto a tree stump a composition comprising microbial propagules to control or prevent growth of a forest pathogen, the spreading system comprising: a harvester control system; and a spreading device comprising; a spreading end connected to a tubular frame, and administering means for administering said composition in the form of a powder mixture, wherein said administering means comprise: a pressure accumulator for loading pressurized air, said pressure accumulator being connected to a first end of the tubular frame via a supply pipe; regulating means comprising at least one regulating valve for regulating flow of the pressurized air entering the tubular frame; a powder storage which contains the powder mixture comprising microbial propagule and a solid fine carrier, the powder storage comprising a flow connection of the powder mixture with the tubular frame; a control apparatus connected to a second end of the tubular frame for administering the powder mixture inside the tubular frame and means for blowing the powder mixture onto a tree stump, via a spreading head connected to the tubular frame; and communication means comprising a transmitter and a receiver of an electromagnetic signal, the communication means configured to deliver control commands to operate the at least one regulating valve for dispensing of pressurized air and control commands to adjust a dosage of the mixture from the powder storage, the communication means operate automatically and receive data from the harvester control system, the harvester control system is configured to: receive a trunk diameter measurement of the tree stump; calculate the pressure of pressurized air and the dosage of the powder mixture based on the trunk diameter measurement of the tree stump; and provide the control apparatus with the data comprising control commands for operating the at least one regulating valve at the pressure of pressurized air calculated and the dosage of the powder mixture calculated based on the trunk diameter measurement, the control commands comprising a starting time of delivery and the pressure of pressurized air into the tubular frame, and a starting time and a duration of the dosage of the powder mixture into the tubular frame. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The spreading system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one regulating valve of the regulating means comprises a first regulating valve before the pressure accumulator and a second regulating valve after the pressure accumulator in the flow direction of pressurized air. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The spreading system according to claim 2, wherein at least one regulating valve is at least one electromagnetic valve, wherein a first electromagnetic valve positioned before the pressure accumulator in the flow direction of pressurized air defines pressure level of pressurized air in the pressure accumulator and a second electromagnetic valve positioned after the pressure accumulator in the flow direction of pressurized air defines a starting time of delivery of pressurized air into the tubular frame of the spreading device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The spreading system according to claim 1, wherein the control commands received from the harvester control system comprises control commands working to operate hydraulics of a harvester head which controls a hydraulic circuit connected to usage of a chain saw. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The spreading system according to claim 4, wherein the control commands to operate hydraulics of the harvester head are generated by or derived from one or more valves which open/close fluid pressure connection between a hydraulic pump and hydraulic actuators of a chain saw or control commands to operate hydraulics of the harvester head are generated by or derived from a pressure gauge in a pipe/tube of hydraulic circuit of the chain saw. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The spreading system according to claim 1, wherein the pressure of the pressurized air to be loaded into the pressure accumulator depends on the trunk diameter measurement of the tree stump. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The spreading system according to claim 1, wherein said powder storage further comprises a powder cartridge and a container configured to receive the powder cartridge, the powder cartridge containing a powder-like mixture of microbial propagules, a culture medium used for producing the microbial propagules and a fine solid carrier said microbial propagules are fungal spores, and said solid fine carrier has a volumetric weight of at least 0.50 g/cm3. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The spreading system according to claim 7, wherein said powder cartridge comprises a removable cap and when the powder cartridge is received into the container of the powder storage, said powder storage connected to bring said powder-like mixture in flow connection with the inside of the tubular frame after removing said cap of the powder cartridge. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The spreading system according to claim 8, wherein said powder cartridge is a tube made of plastic, cardboard or thin metal. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The spreading system according to claim 8, wherein said container is connected to flow connection of the powder mixture with inside of the tubular frame via a supply tube. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The spreading system according to claim 7, wherein said fungal spores are spores of Phlebiopsis gigantea. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The spreading system according to claim 1, wherein said regulating valve of the administering means comprises a magnetic valve and/or a damper for altering the volumetric flow and/or pressure of pressurized air entering the tubular frame. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The spreading system according to claim 1, wherein said control apparatus comprises a stepper motor or a servo motor. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The spreading system according to claim 1, wherein the duration of the delivery of pressurized air is automatically commenced by action of the communication means. ### Claim 15 A harvester head, comprising: a chain saw; a harvester control system configured to provide control commands to control the hydraulic circuit connected the chain saw to cut a tree forming a tree stump; and a spreading device adapted to administer onto the tree stump a composition comprising microbial propagules to control or prevent growth of a forest pathogen, the spreading device comprising: a spreading end connected to a tubular frame, and administering means for administering said composition in the form of a powder mixture, wherein said administering means comprise: a pressure accumulator for loading pressurized air, said pressure accumulator being connected to a first end of the tubular frame via a supply pipe; regulating means comprising at least one regulating valve for regulating flow of the pressurized air entering the tubular frame; a powder storage which contains the powder mixture comprising microbial propagule and a solid fine carrier, the powder storage comprising a flow connection of the powder mixture with the tubular frame; a control apparatus connected to a second end of the tubular frame for administering the powder mixture inside the tubular frame and means for blowing the powder mixture onto a tree stump via a spreading head connected to the tubular frame; and communication means comprising a transmitter and a receiver of an electromagnetic signal, the communication means configured to deliver control commands to operate the at least one regulating valve for dispensing of pressurized air and control commands to adjust a dosage of the mixture from the powder storage, the communication means operate automatically and receive data from the harvester control system, the harvester control system further configured to: receive a trunk diameter measurement of the tree stump; calculate the pressure of pressurized air and the dosage of the powder mixture based on the trunk diameter measurement of the tree stump; and provide the control apparatus with the data comprising control commands for operating the at least one regulating valve at the pressure of pressurized air calculated and the dosage of the powder mixture calculated based on the trunk diameter measurement, the control commands comprising a starting time of delivery and the pressure of pressurized air into the tubular frame, and a starting time and a duration of the dosage of the powder mixture into the tubular frame. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The harvester head according to claim 15, wherein the at least one regulating valve of the regulating means comprises a first regulating valve before the pressure accumulator and a second regulating valve after the pressure accumulator in the flow direction of pressurized air. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The harvester head according to claim 16, wherein at least one regulating valve is at least one electromagnetic valve, wherein a first electromagnetic valve positioned before the pressure accumulator in the flow direction of pressurized air defines pressure level of pressurized air in the pressure accumulator and a second electromagnetic valve positioned after the pressure accumulator in the flow direction of pressurized air defines a starting time of delivery of pressurized air into the tubular frame of the spreading device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The harvester head according to claim 16, wherein the control commands to operate hydraulics of the harvester head are generated by or derived from one or more valves which open/close fluid pressure connection between a hydraulic pump and hydraulic actuators of a chain saw or control commands to operate hydraulics of the harvester head are generated by or derived from a pressure gauge in a pipe/tube of hydraulic circuit of the chain saw. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The harvester head according to claim 15, wherein the pressure of the pressurized air to be loaded into the pressure accumulator depends on the trunk diameter measurement of the tree stump. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The harvester head according to claim 15, wherein said powder storage further comprises a powder cartridge and a container configured to receive the powder cartridge, the powder cartridge containing a powder-like mixture of microbial propagules, a culture medium used for producing the microbial propagules and a fine solid carrier said microbial propagules are fungal spores, and said solid fine carrier has a volumetric weight of at least 0.50 g/cm3. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The harvester head according to claim 20, wherein said powder cartridge comprises a removable cap and when the powder cartridge is received into the container of the powder storage, said powder storage connected to bring said powder-like mixture in flow connection with the inside of the tubular frame after removing said cap of the powder cartridge. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The harvester head according to claim 21, wherein said powder cartridge is a tube made of plastic, cardboard or thin metal. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The harvester head according to claim 21, wherein said container is connected to flow connection of the powder mixture with inside of the tubular frame via a supply tube. ### Claim 24 (depends on 20) The harvester head according to claim 20, wherein said fungal spores are spores of Phlebiopsis gigantea. ### Claim 25 (depends on 15) The harvester head according to claim 15, wherein said regulating valve of the administering means comprises a magnetic valve and/or a damper for altering the volumetric flow and/or pressure of pressurized air entering the tubular frame. ### Claim 26 (depends on 15) The harvester head according to claim 15, wherein said control apparatus comprises a stepper motor or a servo motor. ### Claim 27 (depends on 15) The harvester head according to claim 15, wherein the duration of the delivery of pressurized air is automatically commenced by action of the communication means.