Inline avian spray applicator with rapidly-actuating automatic spray nozzles

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11596509-B2
Application number	US-201615160614-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 20, 2016
Priority date	May 20, 2015
Publication date	Mar 7, 2023
Grant date	Mar 7, 2023

Abstract

The invention relates to spray applicator devices and methods of use for vaccinating, or administering probiotics to, avian animals.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. An automated spray applicator configured for administrating a liquid biologic to young avian animals, comprising:
a housing;
a first and a second actuatable automatic spray nozzle, each nozzle comprising a stationary nozzle tip that produces droplets of the liquid biologic, such that greater than 90% of the droplets have diameters sized from about 125 to about 300 microns based on a fluid pressure from about 30 psi to about 80 psi, each stationary nozzle tip produces a 65 degree spray angle at 40 psi, and the first nozzle is positioned to spray towards the second nozzle at about 45 degrees from vertical; and
a programmable spray control module programmed to actuate the first and second actuatable automatic spray nozzles between open and closed positions, wherein the programmable spray control module is in electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic connection with the first and second actuatable automatic spray nozzles;
wherein the first and second actuatable automatic spray nozzles are in fluid communication with a fluid tank containing the liquid biologic.

2. The spray applicator of claim 1 , wherein each nozzle tip is a 6501E nozzle tip and wherein the nozzle tip produces droplets of 150 microns during use.

3. The spray applicator of claim 1 , further comprising a base, wherein the base comprises a standing means, for maintaining the applicator in a fixed position when movement of the applicator is not desired.

4. The spray applicator of claim 1 , wherein a tank holder is mounted to the housing.

5. The spray applicator of claim 4 , wherein the tank comprises a fluid level float and a lid.

6. The spray applicator of claim 1 , wherein the flow of fluid is functionally connected to a sensor, wherein the sensor relays/communicates a fluid flow status to a user via the spray module or via a light indicator during use.

7. The spray applicator of claim 1 , wherein a vertical nozzle hood assembly adjustment rod is connected to the housing via a rod attachment means.

8. The spray applicator of claim 7 , wherein attached to the vertical rod is a horizontal nozzle hood adjustment rod, which attaches to vaccine hood panels via vaccine hood panel attachment means.

9. The spray applicator of claim 8 , comprising a vaccine or other fluid alarm status indicator light tower and a pressure regulator, situated at a top-most portion of the housing.

10. The spray applicator of claim 1 , wherein the spray module is operable and programmable via a touch screen.

11. A method for administering vaccine or non-vaccine fluid to day old chicks, or other young avian animals, comprising administering vaccine or other non-vaccine fluid to said chicks or other avian animals using the spray applicator of claim 1 , thereby administering the vaccine or non-vaccine fluid.

12. A method of treating chicks, or other young avian animals, with a probiotic formulation comprising the steps of dispersing the probiotic formulation using the spray applicator of claim 1 ; and allowing the chicks to consume the dispensed probiotic formulation, thereby treating the chicks or other young avian animals.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the probiotic formulation is a liquid or liquid-like gel.

14. The spray applicator of claim 1 further comprising a source of pressurized air for supplying pressure to the fluid prior to its entry into the spray nozzle.

15. The spray applicator of claim 1 , wherein the applicator is mounted to a base, which base comprises a rolling means for facilitating the movement of the applicator from one location to another location.

16. The spray applicator of claim 15 , wherein the rolling means comprises a locking means to reversibly prevent the rolling means from rolling during use.

Assignees

• Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Usa Inc

Inventors

• Nguyen Chien Dinh

Classifications

• A01K45/002

  Bird baths or showers · CPC title

• A61D1/025 Primary

  Vaccination appliances (hypodermic syringes A61M) · CPC title

• A61D7/00

  Devices or methods for introducing solid, liquid, or gaseous remedies or other materials into or onto the bodies of animals (for reproduction or fertilisation A61D19/00 {; devices for implanting pellets, radon seeds or the like A61M37/0069}) · CPC title

• A61M2205/50

  with microprocessors or computers · CPC title

• A01K39/00 Primary

  Feeding or drinking appliances for poultry or other birds · CPC title