Multiple sprayer assembly & method for use

Abstract

A multiple nozzle sprayer that includes a fixed or swing bracket assembly configured with a mounting bracket fixedly or adjustably attached by at least one pivot pin to an outwardly projecting angle arm. The mounting bracket is formed with a mounting pad, and the mounting bracket and the angle arm are each formed with at least one nozzle mounting portion. Also included are first and second nozzles mounted to the nozzle mounting portions and configured to project respective spray clouds to intersect. The first nozzle spray cloud is configured with a predetermined droplet size spectra that is greater than that of the second spray nozzle. The first nozzle can be further configured to spray a cloud of a carrier fluid and the second nozzle can be configured to spray an active fluid in a spray cloud that combines with the carrier fluid spray cloud. In another variation, the carrier fluid is water and the active fluid is selected from a group of biologically and/or chemically active substances, and/or mixtures thereof. In a further variation, the carrier fluid is the same as the active fluid, or is a mixture of water and the active fluid. The present invention also contemplates the preceding variations wherein the volumetric flow rate and spray patterns are adjustable through using interchangeable and/or adjustable nozzles. Further, a single nozzle is contemplated that is configured with multiple sprayers. Also, multiple sprayers are contemplated that include two or more nozzles that are each configured to project intersecting spray clouds.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A spray system comprising: 
 a first nozzle adapted to project a first spray cloud having a first spray axis, said first nozzle having a first central tip portion;    a second nozzle adapted to project a second spray cloud having a second spray axis, said second nozzle having a second central tip portion;    said first central tip portion laterally spaced apart from said second central tip portion by a distance between about 0.05 inches and about 11 inches;    said first central tip portion located above said second central tip portion by a distance between about 0.05 and about 6 inches; and    said first spray axis at an angle between about 5 degrees and about 90 degrees relative to said second spray axis;    wherein said first spray cloud is adapted to intersect said second spray cloud.    
     
     
         2 . The spray system of  claim 1  wherein said first central tip portion is laterally spaced apart from said second central tip portion by a distance between about 2.5 inches and about 9 inches.  
     
     
         3 . The spray system of  claim 2  wherein said first central tip portion is laterally spaced apart from said second central tip portion by a distance of about 5 inches.  
     
     
         4 . The spray system of  claim 1  wherein said first central tip portion is located above said second central tip portion by a distance between about 1.5 and about 4 inches.  
     
     
         5 . The spray system of  claim 4  wherein said first central tip portion is located above said second central tip portion by a distance of about 3.5 inches.  
     
     
         6 . The spray system of  claim 1  wherein said first spray axis is at an angle between about 10 degrees and about 60 degrees relative to said second spray axis.  
     
     
         7 . The spray system of  claim 6  wherein said first spray axis is at an angle between about 15 degrees and about 45 degrees relative to said second spray axis.  
     
     
         8 . The spray system of  claim 7  wherein said first spray axis is at an angle of about 30 degrees relative to said second spray axis.  
     
     
         9 . The spray system of  claim 1  wherein a combined spray cloud results from said first and second intersecting spray clouds, wherein said combined spray cloud retains a velocity profile that is substantially similar to the velocity profile of said first spray cloud.  
     
     
         10 . The spray system of  claim 1  wherein: 
 said first central tip portion is laterally spaced apart from said second central tip portion by a distance between about 2.5 inches and about 9 inches;  
 said first central tip portion is located above said second central tip portion by a distance between about 1.5 and about 4 inches; and  
 said first spray axis is at an angle between about 15 degrees and about 45 degrees relative to said second spray axis.  
 
     
     
         11 . The spray system of  claim 1  wherein: 
 said first central tip portion is laterally spaced apart from said second central tip portion by a distance of about 5 inches;  
 said first central tip portion is located above said second central tip portion by a distance of about 3.5 inches; and  
 said first spray axis is at an angle of about 30 degrees relative to said second spray axis.  
 
     
     
         12 . The spray system of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a supply of carrier fluid connected to said first nozzle; and  
 a supply of active fluid connected to said second nozzle, said active fluid selected from the group consisting of biologicals, biorationals, agrochemicals, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, safeners, biological pesticides, plant growth regulators, bactericides, fungi, bacteria, viruses, pheromones, and a mixture of at least two elements of the group.  
 
     
     
         13 . The spray system of  claim 12  wherein said carrier fluid is comprised of water.  
     
     
         14 . The spray system of  claim 12  wherein: 
 said first spray nozzle is adapted to project said first spray cloud at about 0.3 gallons per minute; and  
 said second spray nozzle is adapted to project said second spray cloud between about 0.05 and about 0.1 gallons per minute.  
 
     
     
         15 . The spray system of  claim 14  wherein said second spray nozzle is adapted to project said second spray cloud between about 0.05 and about 0.067 gallons per minute.  
     
     
         16 . A spray system comprising: 
 a supply of carrier fluid;    a first nozzle connected to said supply of carrier fluid, said first nozzle adapted to project a first spray cloud of said carrier fluid at about 0.3 gallons per minute, said first spray cloud having a first spray axis, said first nozzle having a first central tip portion;    a supply of active fluid, said active fluid selected from the group consisting of biologicals, biorationals, agrochemicals, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, safeners, biological pesticides, plant growth regulators, bactericides, fungi, bacteria, viruses, pheromones, and a mixture of at least two elements of the group;    a second nozzle connected to said supply of active fluid, said second nozzle adapted to project a second spray cloud of said active fluid between about 0.05 and about 0.1 gallons per minute, said second spray cloud having a second spray axis, said second nozzle having a second central tip portion;    said first central tip portion laterally spaced apart from said second central tip portion by a distance between about 2.5 inches and about 9 inches;    said first central tip portion located above said second central tip portion by a distance between about 1.5 and about 4 inches; and    said first spray axis at an angle between about 15 degrees and about 45 degrees relative to said second spray axis;    wherein said first spray cloud is adapted to intersect said second spray cloud.    
     
     
         17 . The spray system of  claim 16  wherein said carrier fluid is comprised of water.  
     
     
         18 . The spray system of  claim 16  wherein said second nozzle is adapted to project said second spray cloud of said active fluid between about 0.05 and about 0.067 gallons per minute.  
     
     
         19 . The spray system of  claim 16  wherein: 
 said first central tip portion is laterally spaced apart from said second central tip portion by a distance of about 5 inches;  
 said first central tip portion is located above said second central tip portion by a distance of about 3.5 inches; and  
 said first spray axis is at an angle of about 30 degrees relative to said second spray axis.  
 
     
     
         20 . The spray system of  claim 19  wherein: 
 said second nozzle is adapted to project said second spray cloud of said active fluid between about 0.05 and about 0.067 gallons per minute.