NZ242229A - Delivery system for drenching animals: concentrate in flexible reservoir reconstituted - Google Patents

Description

24?229 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT. 1953 N.Z. patent OFFICE No.: 1 4 FEB 1994 Date: RECEIVED COMPLETE SPECIFICATION "Improvements in or Relating to a Package and/or a Delivery System for Animal Drenching" (Divided out of NZ Patent Application No.236726 filed 9 January 1991) WE, NUTRITECH INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, a company duly incorporated under the laws of New Zealand of 12 Fisher Crescent, Penrose, Auckland, New Zealand hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- 24 2 2 2 This invention relates to animal drenching.

In the past, it has been usual in animal drenching equipment to contain the drench in a substantially rigid reservoir container. These containers are heavy and bulky even when empty, and can be difficult to use for mixing purposes. Also, such rigid containers do not adapt well to the variety of locations on a farm or the like where the drench may be required.

It is an object of the invention to provide animal drenching equipment which will go at least some way towards overcoming the abovementioned disadvantages or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

The invention consists in animal drenching equipment, wherein the drench reservoir comprises a substantially flexible bag, pouch or bladder, said bag, pouch or bladder containing a powder or a concentrated aqueous liquid or suspension to which water can be added to constitute an animal drench, and said reservoir having a recloseable outlet through which said drench can be dispensed.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

A preferred form of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of drenching equipment according to one preferred form of the invention; and 24 2 22 9 Figures 2 and 3 show outer bags which may be used in conjunction with the equipment in Figure 1.

An advantageous arrangement of animal drenching equipment is shown in Figure 1, comprising a drench reservoir 1, an outlet 2, in association with a spigot 4, and a conduit or tube 6 leading from the spigot to a drench gun 7. The drench reservoir 1 comprises a substantially flexible bag, pouch or bladder. A suitable capacity for the reservoir is for example approximately 10 litres for ordinary farm use. The flexible reservoir may be constructed of impermeable plastics sheet material, heat sealed to form a pouch. The reservoir 1 has an outlet 2 provided towards one end or side of the container 1 and which may include a stopper (not shown). The outlet may include a valve mechanism.

In the preferred form of the invention, a spigot 4 is provided in association with the outlet and the spigot may include a removable cap (not shown).

The equipment as supplied to the user contains a drench in aqueous liquid or in dry powder form to which water must be added. The aqueous liquid may be a concentrate to which water must be added or may be at suitable strength for use.

In order to complete the delivery system, a conduit or tube 6 and a suitable drench gun 7 are provided, and hose clamps or rubber rings or the like 8 may also be included to secure the drench gun to the conduit and the conduit to the spigot In use according to the system of the invention, the stopper is removed from the outlet 2 and a measured volume of water is added to bring the powder or concentrated liquid to a suitable concentration for use, for example using a funnel inserted in the outlet 2.

The capped spigot 4 is then inserted into the outlet and pushed firmly into place 2422? ensuring that it forms a properly seated seal.

The reservoir 1 is then agitated vigorously for example by kneading the flexible reservoir to mix the contents. The spigot cap may be removed periodically to allow excess air to be expelled. The conduit 6 is then connected to the spigot 4 and the drench gun 7 is connected to the conduit 6, the ends being fixed with hose clamps, rubber rings 8 or the like.

Alternatively, the mixed drench may be dispensed through the spigot 4 into another drench container provided with a drench gun.

An outer bag, including one or more handles, carry straps, or other means of attaching the bag to a support may be provided.

Referring now to Figure 2, an outer bag 10a for use in association with the animal drenching equipment as described, comprises a containing portion 11a into which the flexible reservoir 1 may be inserted, fastening means such as buckled straps 12 to fasten closed the containing portion 11a and a small aperture 13a in the lower portion of the receptacle to allow the spigot 4 to project from the outer bag 10a. The outer bag 10a as shown in Figure 2 also includes straps 14 by which it may be worn by a user.

Referring to Figure 3, an alternative outer bag 10b is shown, which comprises a containing portion 1 lb into which the flexible reservoir 1 may be inserted, fastening means such as hook and loop fastener panels 15 to fasten closed the containing portion lib and a small aperture 13b in the lower portion of the bag to allow the spigot 4 to project in use.

Outer bag lib shown in Figure 3 also includes suspension means such as pulley runners 16. The outer bag lib, containing the drench reservoir 1 may thus be -4- ' V " 28MAR1994; 24 2 22 9 suspended, for example on a taut wire, whereby the pulley runners 16 will allow the equipment to be readily moved along the wire. This is particularly useful for suspension above pens or bails in for example a milking shed where it is desired to dose a number of animals with drench- Outer bags in accordance with the invention may be in basket form or may be made of vinyl or other suitable materials.

Thus it can be seen that improved drench equipment is provided by the invention which has the advantages that the reservoir is of relative light weight and can be readily stored and carried. The reservoir, comprising a flexible and collapsible bag, pouch or bladder type container, can conveniently be of a relatively lightweight plastics material and is collapsible to approximately the size and little more than the weight of the actual material contained therein. The container is flexible which allows for ready mixing of the contents by manual kneading, or agitation. When drench is provided in a concentrated form the reservoir does not take up an unnecessary amount of room but liquid can be added to the concentrate to formulate it to full volume and appropriate concentration when desired. Furthermore, means are described to support the equipment dining use either in a backpack manner for carrying or by suspension. The equipment as described can also be used for transporting or storing the drench which can then be dispensed through existing equipment This animal drenching equipment is very adaptable as by the use of a suitable conduit and fasteners the flexible reservoir can be used in conjunction with a user's existing drench gun or other equipment to provide a complete drenching system. This system allows for immediate use without waste or dust which can arise from the need to mix or pour drench mixtures in or between open containers. 24222 9

Claims (11)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. Animal drenching equipment, including a drench reservoir wherein the drench reservoir comprises a substantially flexible bag, pouch or bladder, said bag, pouch or bladder containing a powder or a concentrated aqueous liquid or suspension to which water can be added to constitute an animal drench, and said reservoir having a recloseable outlet through which said drench can be dispensed.

2. Animal drenching equipment as claimed in claim 1 wherein said outlet includes a valve.

3. Animal drenching equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said outlet includes a stopper.

4. Animal drenching equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further including an outer receptacle into which said reservoir can be placed and which supports said reservoir.

5. Animal drenching equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a spigot or spout for insertion into said outlet

6. Animal drenching equipment as claimed in claim 4, including a spigot or spout for insertion into said outlet and wherein said outer receptacle includes an aperture through which said spigot projects when said reservoir is placed in said outer receptacle. j28NARI9M:

7. Animal drenching equipment as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein said spigot or spout includes a spigot cap.

8. Animal drenching equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further including a conduit communicating with said outlet and a drench gun communicating with said conduit

9. Animal drenching equipment as claimed in claim 4 or claim 6 wherein said outer receptacle is provided with means to allow it to be worn as a backpack by a human being.

10. Animal drenching equipment as claimed in claim 4 or claim 6 wherein said outer receptacle includes suspension means by which said equipment can be suspended for use in drenching.

11. Animal drenching equipment substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings. DATED THISDAY OF A -7- •' v