Closed Concentrated Dry Dispersion System and Method

Abstract

A closed concentrated dry chemical dispersion system including a closed ingredient container having a volume of dry ingredient therein. The system provides a fluid container and a mixing chamber in which the dry ingredient and fluid can be mixed to form a formulation for delivery to a device such as agrochemical dispensing equipment. The system minimizes worker exposure to the chemicals and enables lower packaging and transportation costs.

1 . A concentrated chemical dispersion system comprising:
 an ingredient container defining an internal chamber having a volume of a dry ingredient therein and which is configured to be in a closed condition to seal said ingredient therein, said ingredient container further configured to be stored separately from the system and to be connected to said system and opened for transferring said ingredient to said system;   a fluid container for holding a fluid medium within;   a mixing chamber for mixing said ingredient and said fluid medium therein, said mixing chamber configured to be in fluid communication with said fluid container for receiving said fluid medium therefrom at least when said ingredient container is coupled to said system, said mixing chamber configured to contain said ingredient therein at least when said ingredient container is coupled to said system;   an agitator disposed for mixing said ingredient and said fluid medium in said mixing chamber into a formulation; and   a downstream fluid conduit in fluid communication with equipment for dispensing said formulation, said mixing chamber being in fluid communication with said downstream fluid conduit at least when said ingredient container is coupled to said system for transferring said formulation to said equipment.   
     
     
         2 - 9  (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The concentrated chemical dispersion system according to  claim 1  wherein said agitator comprises a rotating paddle device. 
     
     
         11 - 15  (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method for dispersing a concentrated chemical, comprising:
 (a) providing an ingredient container defining an internal chamber and having a volume of a dry ingredient therein, said ingredient container configured to be in a closed condition to seal said ingredient therein during storage and handling of said ingredient container;   (b) coupling said ingredient container to a dispersion system to be included therein such that said internal chamber is in fluid communication therewith, said dispersion system further including a fluid medium and a downstream fluid conduit, said downstream fluid conduit being in fluid communication with dispensing equipment;   (c) mixing said ingredient and said fluid medium within said system;   (d) agitating said mixed ingredient and said fluid medium within said dispersion system to form a formulation; and   (e) transferring said formulation to said downstream fluid conduit for dispensing said formulation.   
     
     
         17 . The method for dispersing a concentrated chemical according to  claim 16 , wherein step (c) is carried out in said ingredient container. 
     
     
         18 . The method for dispersing a concentrated chemical according to  claim 16  wherein step (d) is carried out in said ingredient container. 
     
     
         19 . The method for dispersing a concentrated chemical according to  claim 16  wherein said fluid medium is provided in a fluid container, and said ingredient container is in fluid communication with said fluid container and said downstream fluid conduit when said ingredient container is coupled to said dispersion system. 
     
     
         20 . The method for dispersing a concentrated chemical according to  claim 16  wherein step (c) is carried out in a mixing chamber which is in fluid communication with said downstream fluid conduit when said ingredient container is coupled to said dispersion system. 
     
     
         21 . The method for dispersing a concentrated chemical according to  claim 20  wherein said internal chamber of said ingredient container includes said mixing chamber. 
     
     
         22 . The method for dispersing a concentrated chemical according to  claim 20  wherein said mixing chamber is separate from said internal chamber. 
     
     
         23 . The method for dispersing a concentrated chemical according to  claim 20  wherein said fluid medium is provided in a fluid container, and said mixing chamber is in fluid communication with said fluid container for receiving said fluid medium therefrom and in fluid communication with said ingredient container for receiving said ingredient therefrom. 
     
     
         24 . The method for dispersing a concentrated chemical according to  claim 16  wherein said ingredient container is flexible, and step (d) is carried out by deforming said flexible ingredient container. 
     
     
         25 . The method for dispersing a concentrated chemical according to  claim 16  wherein said coupling of said ingredient container to said dispersion system provides sealed fluid communication therebetween. 
     
     
         26 . The method for dispersing a concentrated chemical according to  claim 19  wherein said coupling of said ingredient container to said dispersion system provides sealed fluid communication of said ingredient container with said fluid container and said downstream fluid conduit. 
     
     
         27 . The method for dispersing a concentrated chemical according to  claim 23  wherein said coupling of said ingredient container to said dispersion system provides sealed fluid communication of said ingredient container with said mixing chamber.