Tree injection apparatus
OwnerGeoffrey Richard Eldridgeinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for injecting a fluid into tissue of a plant are described. In one embodiment, the apparatus (1) comprises a spindle (2) which rotates within a fluid delivery manifold (3). The spindle can be driven by an electric drill and the spindle has a threaded portion (4) for insertion into the plant. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a pump barrel which in conjunction with the spindle allows the apparatus to be used as a syringe. Methods of delivering fluid to plant tissue using apparatus according to the invention are also described.
Claims50
An apparatus for pressurized delivery of a fluid into tissue of a plant, said apparatus comprising a spindle rotatable within a fluid delivery manifold positioned between first and second end portions of said spindle, said spindle having an external thread extending from said first end towards said fluid delivery manifold, said fluid delivery manifold including at least one inlet for pressurized fluid, which inlet is in fluid communication with a passage through said spindle and which has at least one outlet in the threaded portion of the spindle or at the first end thereof;
- wherein said spindle can be rotated by drive means connected to said second end of said spindle for threaded engagement of said first end portion with tissue of said plant in a preformed passage therein to effect a fluid seal between said at least one apparatus passage outlet and the exterior of said plant.
A method of delivering a fluid into tissue of a plant, said method comprising the steps of:
- 1) forming a passage in the trunk or a branch of said plant which extends at least partially into the xylem;
- 2) driving a rotatable spindle having external threads into said passage to form a threaded engagement between said said external threads of said spindle and plant tissue to effect a fluid seal between the exterior of said plant and a fluid outlet of said spindle that is driven inside said plant;
- 3) placing said fluid outlet of said spindle in fluid communication with a fluid delivery manifold which manifold has at least one inlet for pressurized fluid;
- 4) delivering fluid to said plant under pressure via said fluid delivery manifold and said fluid outlet of said spindle;
- and
- 5) removing said spindle from said passage in said plant.
An apparatus for pressurized delivery of a fluid into tissue of a plant, said apparatus comprising:
- a spindle rotatable within a fluid delivery manifold positioned between first and second end portions of said spindle;
- a pump barrel which threadingly engages said spindle first end and is axially movable with respect thereto between retracted and extended positions, said pump barrel having an externally threaded spout the axis of which is aligned with the axis of said spindle, said spout having associated therewith a valve which prevents back flow of fluid into said pump barrel;
- a lock for retaining said pump barrel in said extended position and preventing movement of said pump barrel with respect to said spindle first end;
- and
- at least one fluid inlet in said fluid delivery manifold which is in fluid communication with the interior of said pump barrel via a passage through said spindle, said at least one fluid inlet having associated therewith a valve for preventing back flow of fluid from said fluid delivery manifold;
- wherein, said spindle can be rotated by drive means connected to said second end of said spindle for threaded engagement of said spout with tissue of said plant in a preformed passage therein to effect a fluid seal between said spout outlet and the exterior of said plant.
A method of delivering a fluid into tissue of a plant, said method comprising the steps of:
- (1) forming a passage in the trunk or branch of said plant which extends at least partially into the xylem;
- (2) driving an apparatus into said passage with threaded engagement between said pump barrel spout and plant tissue to effect a fluid seal between said spout outlet and the exterior of said plant, wherein said pump barrel is in said extended position and is charged with fluid;
- wherein said apparatus comprising:
- a spindle rotatable within a fluid delivery manifold positioned between first and second end portions of said spindle;
- a pump barrel which threadingly engages said spindle first end and is axially movable with respect thereto between retracted and extended positions said pump barrel having an externally threaded spout the axis of which is aligned with the axis of said spindle, said spout having associated therewith a valve which prevents back flow of fluid into said pump barrel;
- a lock for retaining said pump barrel in said extended position and preventing movement of said pump barrel with respect to said spindle first end;
- and
- at least one fluid inlet in said fluid delivery manifold which is in fluid communication with the interior of said pump barrel via a passage through said spindle, said at least one fluid inlet having associated therewith a valve for preventing back flow of fluid from said fluid delivery manifold;
- wherein, said spindle can be rotated by drive means connected to said second end of said spindle for threaded engagement of said spout with tissue of said plant in a preformed passage therein to effect a fluid seal between said spout outlet and the exterior of said plant;
- (3) delivering fluid to said plant under pressure by moving said pump barrel to said retracted position via rotation of said spindle;
- and
- (4) removing said apparatus from said passage in said plant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.