Live bacteria liquid product applicator

Abstract

An applicator for applying a liquid carrier having live bacteria suspended therein, which are in a dormant state, to a target host comprising a pump having inlet and discharge sides, with the inlet side of the pump being in fluid communication with the liquid carrier. A first fluid conduit extends from the discharge side of the pump to an air induction nozzle which is in communication with a source of air under pressure. A flow control is imposed in the first conduit for adjusting the amount of liquid carrier passing therethrough. The pump and the air supply for the air induction nozzle are operatively connected to a power supply. The pump, when activated, causes the liquid carrier to be pumped to the air induction nozzle wherein the liquid carrier is mixed with air to create small droplets thereof for spraying onto the target host.

1 . An applicator for applying a liquid carrier having live bacteria suspended therein, which are in dormant state, until applied to a target host, comprising:
 a liquid pump having inlet and discharge sides;   said inlet side of liquid pump being in fluid communication with the liquid carrier;   a spray applicator having an inlet side and a discharge side;   said discharge side of said liquid pump being in communication with said inlet side of said spray applicator;   a power supply connected to said liquid pump for selectively activating said pump;   said liquid pump, when activated, causing the liquid carrier to be pumped to said inlet side of said spray applicator and then to said discharge side thereof without bringing the liquid carrier into contact with ambient air or moisture;   said spray applicator including an air induction nozzle which is in communication with a source of air under pressure;   said air induction nozzle causing the liquid carrier being discharged from said discharge side of said spray applicator to be sprayed therefrom to create small droplets thereof for spraying onto the target host.   
     
     
         2 . The applicator of  claim 1  wherein a first fluid conduit extends between said discharge side of said liquid pump to said inlet side of said spray applicator and wherein a flow control means is imposed in said first fluid conduit. 
     
     
         3 . The applicator of  claim 2  wherein said source of air under pressure comprises an air pump. 
     
     
         4 . The applicator of  claim 1  wherein said liquid pump comprises a peristaltic pump. 
     
     
         5 . The applicator of  claim 1  wherein the liquid carrier is contained within a plastic bag. 
     
     
         6 . The applicator of  claim 5  wherein the plastic bag is comprised of a polyurethane material which is UV resistant. 
     
     
         7 . The applicator of  claim 1  wherein the liquid carrier is contained within a pail. 
     
     
         8 . The applicator of  claim 1  wherein the liquid carrier is contained within a drum. 
     
     
         9 . The applicator of  claim 1  wherein said flow control means is selectively adjustable. 
     
     
         10 . The applicator of  claim 1  wherein the liquid carrier is comprised of a substantially moisture-free mixture containing mineral oil and polymers. 
     
     
         11 . The applicator of  claim 1  wherein the liquid carrier is comprised of a substantially moisture-free admixture. 
     
     
         12 . The applicator of  claim 1  wherein the target host is forage. 
     
     
         13 . The applicator of  claim 1  wherein the target host is feed. 
     
     
         14 . The applicator of  claim 1  wherein the target host is an animal. 
     
     
         15 . In combination:
 a source of liquid carrier having live dormant bacteria therein;   said liquid carrier being substantially moisture-free;   a liquid pump having inlet and discharge sides;   said inlet side of said liquid pump being in fluid communication with the liquid carrier;   a power supply connected to said liquid pump for selectively activating said liquid pump;   a spray applicator having an inlet side and a discharge side;   said discharge side of said liquid pump being in communication with said inlet side of said spray applicator;   a power supply connected to said liquid pump for selectively activating said pump;   said liquid pump, when activated, causing the liquid carrier to be pumped to said inlet side of said spray applicator and then to said discharge side thereof without bringing the liquid carrier into contact with ambient air or moisture;   said spray applicator including an air induction nozzle which is in communication with a source of air under pressure;   said air induction nozzle causing the liquid carrier being discharged from said discharge side of said spray applicator to be sprayed therefrom to create small droplets thereof for spraying onto the target host.   
     
     
         16 . The combination of  claim 15  wherein said source of air comprises an air pump. 
     
     
         17 . The combination of  claim 16  wherein said air pump is connected to said power supply. 
     
     
         18 . The combination of  claim 15  wherein said pump comprises a peristaltic pump. 
     
     
         19 . The combination of  claim 15  wherein the liquid carrier is contained within a plastic bag. 
     
     
         20 . The combination of  claim 19  wherein the plastic bag is comprised of a polyurethane material which is UV resistant. 
     
     
         21 . The combination of  claim 15  wherein the liquid carrier is contained within a pail. 
     
     
         22 . The combination of  claim 15  wherein the liquid carrier is contained within a drum. 
     
     
         23 . The combination of  claim 15  wherein said flow control means is selectively adjustable. 
     
     
         24 . The combination of  claim 15  wherein the liquid carrier is comprised of a substantially moisture-free mixture containing mineral oil and polymers. 
     
     
         25 . The combination of  claim 15  wherein the target host is forage. 
     
     
         26 . The combination of  claim 15  wherein the target host is an animal. 
     
     
         27 . The combination of  claim 15  wherein the target host is feed. 
     
     
         28 . The combination of  claim 15  further including a target host detector which is operatively connected to said pump. 
     
     
         29 . The combination of  claim 28  wherein said target host detector deactivates said pump upon the lack of target host adjacent said air induction nozzle means. 
     
     
         30 . In combination:
 a source of liquid carrier having live dormant bacteria therein;   said liquid carrier being substantially moisture-free;   a liquid pump having inlet and discharge sides;   said inlet side of said pump being in fluid communication with the liquid carrier;   a power supply connected to said liquid pump for selectively activating said liquid pump;   a liquid applicator including an inlet side and a discharge side;   a spray applicator having an inlet side and a discharge side;   said discharge side of said liquid pump being in communication with said inlet side of said spray applicator;   a power supply connected to said liquid pump for selectively activating said pump;   said liquid pump, when activated, causing the liquid carrier to be pumped to said inlet side of said spray applicator and then to said discharge side thereof without bringing the liquid carrier into contact with ambient air or moisture;   said spray applicator including an air induction nozzle which is in communication with a source of air under pressure;   said air induction nozzle causing the liquid carrier being discharged from said discharge side of said spray applicator to be sprayed therefrom to create small droplets thereof for spraying onto the target host.   
     
     
         31 . The combination of  claim 30  wherein said source of air comprises an air pump. 
     
     
         32 . The combination of  claim 31  wherein the plastic bag is comprised of a polyurethane material which is UV resistant. 
     
     
         33 . The combination of  claim 30  wherein the liquid carrier is contained within a pail. 
     
     
         34 . The combination of  claim 30  wherein the liquid carrier is contained within a drum. 
     
     
         35 . The combination of  claim 30  wherein said flow control means is selectively adjustable. 
     
     
         36 . The combination of  claim 30  wherein the liquid carrier is comprised of a substantially moisture-free mixture containing mineral oil and polymers. 
     
     
         37 . The combination of  claim 30  wherein the target host is forage. 
     
     
         38 . The combination of  claim 30  wherein the target host is an animal.