(10) International Publication Number (43) International Publication Date 2 June 2016 ( ) P O P C T

Transcription

1 (12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) (19) World Intellectual Property Organization International Bureau (10) International Publication Number (43) International Publication Date 2 June 2016 ( ) P O P C T WO 2016/ Al (51) International Patent Classification: AO, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BH, BN, BR, BW, BY, A01H 1/02 ( ) BZ, CA, CH, CL, CN, CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, DO, DZ, EC, EE, EG, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, GT, (21) International Application Number: HN, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IR, IS, JP, KE, KG, KN, KP, KR, PCT/NZ20 15/ KZ, LA, LC, LK, LR, LS, LU, LY, MA, MD, ME, MG, (22) International Filing Date: MK, MN, MW, MX, MY, MZ, NA, NG, NI, NO, NZ, OM, 26 November 2015 ( ) PA, PE, PG, PH, PL, PT, QA, RO, RS, RU, RW, SA, SC, SD, SE, SG, SK, SL, SM, ST, SV, SY, TH, TJ, TM, TN, (25) Filing Language: English TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VC, VN, ZA, ZM, ZW. (26) Publication Language: English (84) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every (30) Priority Data: kind of regional protection available): ARIPO (BW, GH, November 2014 ( ) NZ GM, KE, LR, LS, MW, MZ, NA, RW, SD, SL, ST, SZ, TZ, UG, ZM, ZW), Eurasian (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, RU, (71) Applicant: OVINK, Willem Hendrik Klein [NZ/NZ]; TJ, TM), European (AL, AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, 271 Station Rd RD 2, Whakatane, 3192 (NZ). DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LT, LU, LV, MC, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SI, SK, (72) Inventor; and SM, TR), OAPI (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GQ, (71) Applicant : HORWOOD, David [NZ/NZ]; Papanui RD GW, KM, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG). RD 2, Opotiki, 3198 (NZ). (74) Agent: AJ PIETRAS & CO; Level 2 Gibson Sheat Published: Centre, 1 Margaret Street, Lower Hurt, (NZ). with international search report (Art. 21(3)) (81) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every kind of national protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM, (54) Title: A POLLEN APPLICATOR AND/OR AN OZONE DISPENSER v (57) Abstract: A pollen applicator for blowing pollen towards plant life when in use comprises a blower adapted to blow pollen into o the air in the vicinity of plants while the applicator moves past a series of the plants; and a vacuum collector adapted to capture some of the blown pollen and recycle it to be blown again by the blower. Alternatively the pollen application may comprise a blower adap - o ted to blow pollen into the air in the vicinity of plants while the application moves past a series of the plants and one or more further blowers to blow any lingering pollen towards the plants.

2 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION TITLE A Pollen Applicator and/or an Ozone Dispenser. FIELD OF INVENTION One aspect of the invention relates to applying pollen in a horticultural setting. Another aspect relates to dispensing ozone in a horticultural setting. BACKGROUND Pollination is an essential part of growing fruit. For fruit to grow its flowers must be pollinated. If pollination does not occur then normally no fruit will grow. If poor pollination occurs, then the resulting fruit may be of poor quality and may be rejected for sale by fruit wholesalers. Bees play an important part in pollenating flowers of many types. However, there is a global decline in bee numbers and they cannot always be relied on to provide good pollination. Bees also prefer certain flowers over others; for example they are often not particularly attracted to kiwifruit flowers. Good pollination in kiwifruit is critical for good fruit size and shape. Kiwifruit have male flowers and female flowers. To achieve good pollination in Hayward kiwifruit, female flowers need to be within 5m of male flowers if bees are the only source of pollination. Many orchardists supplement bees with artificial pollination. Male flowers are picked and milled and the pollen then reapplied to the female flowers by either dry or wet application techniques. Typically, one pass with a dry pollen blower pollinates 33% of the fruit ovules. The other 66% of ovules are pollinated by bees moving the applied pollen between flowers or within flowers. It has been found that rates of over 250g of pollen applied per hectare do not appear to improve the pollination outcome. More than 90% of pollen dispersed by current dry pollen applicators get nowhere near the female flowers and is wasted. Pollen is very expensive (approximately $3000 per kg) and in some years is in short supply. Excellent artificial pollination can currently be achieved manually if every flower is dosed with a hand held applicator, either touching, or within 10cm of every flower (hand held applicators include pollen rollers, puffers or sprayers). These methods are labour

3 intensive and costly. In the case of wet application of pollen, the costs can exceed $6000 per hectare. The arrival of PSA (pseudomonas syringae actinidiae) is causing bud rot in kiwifruit flower, particularly males so sometimes there is not enough male pollen within an orchard, or at the ideal distribution. More and more kiwifruit orchards are now being covered for a variety of reasons and bees are often reluctant to work under these canopies. Bees can also fatally damage their wings on these canopies and some bee keepers will not put their hives in covered orchards. PSA (pseudomonas syringae actinidiae) is a bacteria that affects kiwifruit and can lead to the death of kiwifruit vines. PSA only affects kiwifruit. It is believed to be spread by wind, rain and plant materials. It may also be spread by footwear, vehicles and orchard equipment. It is an object of a preferred form of the invention to go at least some way towards facilitating pollination of plant life. It is an object of a further aspect of the invention to go at least some way towards applying ozone to plants. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one embodiment of the invention there is a pollen applicator for blowing pollen towards plant life when in use, the applicator comprising: a blower adapted to blow pollen into the air in the vicinity of plants while the applicator moves past a series of the plants; and a vacuum collector adapted to capture some of the blown pollen and recycle it to be blown again by the blower. In some embodiments more than one blower is provided. Preferably the pollen applicator further comprises a pollen source adapted to provide a measured amount of pollen to a blower. Preferably pollen captured by the vacuum collector is recycled to all the blowers.

4 Preferably the pollen applicator further comprises a fan to provide air to the blower(s). Preferably the pollen applicator further comprises a trailer adapted to be towed. In some embodiments the pollen applicator further comprises a motive unit to move the applicator. Preferably pollen lingering near the applicator after being blown by one of the blowers is subsequently blown by another one of the blowers. In another aspect the invention comprises a method of blowing pollen towards plant life comprising the steps of providing pollen to a pollen applicator for blowing pollen towards plant life when in use, the applicator comprising: a blower adapted to blow pollen into the air in the vicinity of plants while the applicator moves past a series of the plants; and a vacuum collector adapted to capture some of the blown pollen and recycle it to be blown again by the blower; activating the blower to blow a measured amount of pollen, activating the vacuum collector, and towing the pollen applicator past a series of plants to be pollinated. In another aspect the invention comprises a pollen applicator for blowing pollen towards plant life when in use, the applicator having a series of blowers adapted to blow pollen into the air in the vicinity of plants while moving past a series of plants, the applicator formed such that any pollen lingering near the applicator after being blown by one of the blowers is subsequently blown by another one of the blowers. Optionally the blowers comprise outlets associated with a common fan. In another aspect the invention comprises an ozone dispenser for causing ozone to be dispensed to plant life, the dispenser having a means for delivering ozone, the dispenser formed so that when in use the means for delivering ozone can deliver ozone into the air in the vicinity of the plants while the dispenser moves adjacent to a series of the plants.

5 In another aspect the invention comprises a method of dispensing ozone comprising providing ozone to a dispenser adapted to direct ozone towards a series of plants and moving the dispenser past a series plants so that the dispenser delivers ozone to the plants. IMAGES Some preferred forms of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying images, of which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of a pollen applicator; and Figure 2 is an alternative isometric view of the same applicator. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figures 1 and 2 show a pollen applicator including blowers 1, a vacuum collector 2, a pollen source 6 (shown in figure 2) and a fan 3, mounted on a trailer (the trailer may be part of the applicator). The trailer can be coupled to a vehicle to allow the applicator to be moved past a series of plants, for example kiwifruit vines. In this regard the applicator it may be towed by a quad bike, tractor or some other vehicle. In alternative embodiments the applicator may have its own motive unit so it can be driven, ie without needing to be towed. In some embodiments a single blower is provided. The blower 1 blows pollen provided by the pollen source 6 into the air. As the applicator moves past the plants the pollen is blown into the air to pollinate flowers belonging to the plants. In some embodiments the pollen applicator is provided with a vacuum collector 2. The vacuum collector 2 is arranged to suck in air and unused (eg lingering) pollen as the applicator moves past a series of plants in a forward direction 4 (indicated in figure 1). The collector 2 therefore provides air and pollen to the fan 3 via conduits 7. The fan 3 creates suction for the vacuum collector 2. The air from the fan 3 is then provided back to at least one of the blowers 1 along the conduit as shown at 8 to recycle any unused pollen that has been collected by vacuum collector 2. As indicated above, pollen is provided by the pollen source 6. The pollen source 6

6 dispenses a measured amount of pollen to a first of the blowers 1 as indicated at 8 (see figure 2). That blower then blows the pollen into the air. As the applicator moves past a series of plants in the forward direction 4 pollen is blown into the air and drifts towards the plants. In some embodiments more than one blower 1 is provided. In some embodiments pollen from pollen source 6 is provided to one of the blowers 1 closest to the front of the applicator (as determined by the direction in which the pollen applicator will be moved). The pollen is blown from this blower into the air. Blowers behind the first blower then blow air and any pollen that is lingering or falling towards the ground upwards as the pollen applicator moves in direction 4. Some pollen may follow path 5 shown in figure 1, being blown by the first blower and then subsequent blowers. In this embodiment the blowers 1 all receive air flow from the same fan 3, but in alternative embodiments there may be more than one fan. The subsequent blowers may be arranged to blow pollen in different directions (as shown in figure 1) to provide a greater coverage of pollen to the plants. Unused pollen may be collected by vacuum collector 2 and recycled to all the blowers by way of fan 3. When the pollen applicator includes a vacuum collector 2, the vacuum collector collects any pollen it can. This pollen is provided to fan 3 by conduits 7 and dispensed to all the blowers 1 by a series of conduits. The conduits may be formed by any suitable pipes, tubes or the like. In use the pollen applicator is moved past a series of plants to be pollinated in direction 4. The pollen source 6 provides pollen to the first blower 1. Pollen blown by first blower 1 may pollinate flowers on the plants. If the pollen doesn't pollinate the flower it may start to fall to the ground. In some embodiments further blowers may blow the falling pollen towards plants. In some embodiments some of the falling pollen may be collected by vacuum collector 2 and recycled to the blower(s) by fan 3. In a kiwifruit orchard the blowers are directed at the female kiwifruit flowers. As the machine passes by, each female kiwifruit flower will have pollen blown at it multiple times (in the applicator shown in the images, 5 times). If each of the blowers pollinates 33% of the kiwifruit ovules, then one pass of the pollen applicator should achieve perfect pollination.

7 When provided, the vacuum collector of the applicator at the rear of the applicator (when viewed in the direction of movement) collects and recycles any pollen floating within the width of the machine and up to 25cms vertically above and below the vacuum inlet (give half a meter height coverage in total). The pollen collected by the vacuum is then recirculated and redistributed through the multiple blowers. Using a vacuum collector has the potential to allow a reduced amount of pollen to be dispensed at the of the machine and still achieve perfect pollination at rates of less than 250g of pollen per hectare. In another embodiment an ozone dispenser is provided. The ozone dispenser is arranged to be towed past a series of plants and blows ozone onto the plants. The ozone dispenser may be provided on a trailer attached to a vehicle, or may be fitted to a selfpowered vehicle directly. The ozone dispenser includes an ozone source and at least one ozone blower. The ozone source may be an ozone store or an ozone creator. Ozone from the ozone source is provided in a measured amount to the ozone blower. The ozone is blown by the ozone blower into the air and at the plants. In preferred embodiment the plants are kiwifruit and the ozone is blown onto the vines and leaves to reduce the effects of PSA. In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variation such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. While some preferred forms of the invention(s) have been described by way of example it should be appreciated that modifications and improvements can occur without departing from the scope of the invention(s) as defined in the accompanying claims.

8 CLAIMS 1. A pollen applicator for blowing pollen towards plant life when in use, the applicator having: a blower adapted to blow pollen into the air in the vicinity of plants while the applicator moves past a series of the plants; and a vacuum collector adapted to capture some of the blown pollen and recycle it to be blown again by the blower. 2. A pollen applicator as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of blowers. 3. A pollen applicator as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 further comprising a pollen source adapted to provide a measured amount of pollen to a blower. 4. A pollen applicator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein pollen captured by the vacuum collector is recycled to all the blowers. 5. A pollen applicator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 further comprising a fan to provide air to the blower(s). 6. A pollen applicator as claimed in any one of the previous claims further comprising a trailer adapted to be towed. 7. A pollen applicator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 comprising a motive unit to move the applicator. 8. A pollen applicator as claimed in claim 2 wherein pollen lingering near the applicator after being blown by one of the blowers is subsequently blown by another one of the blowers. 9. A pollen applicator for blowing pollen towards plant life when in use, the applicator

9 having a series of blowers adapted to blow pollen into the air in the vicinity of plants while moving past a series of plants, the applicator formed such that pollen lingering near the applicator after being blown by one of the blowers is subsequently blown by another one of the blowers. 10. A pollen applicator as claimed in claim 9 wherein the blowers comprise outlets associated with a common fan. 11. An ozone dispenser for causing ozone to be dispensed to plant life, the dispenser having a means for delivering ozone, the dispenser formed so that when in use the means for delivering ozone can deliver ozone into the air in the vicinity of the plants while the dispenser moves adjacent to a series of the plants.

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11 INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT International application No. PCT/NZ201 5/ A. CLASSIFICATION A01H 1/02 ( ) OF SUBJECT MATTER According to International Patent Classification (IPC) or to both national classification and IPC B. FIELDS SEARCHED Minimum documentation searched (classification system followed by classification symbols) Documentation searched other than minimum documentation to the extent that such documents are included in the fields searched Electronic data base consulted during the international search (name of data base and, where practicable, search terms used) EPODOC and WPIAP: IPC/CPC; A01H1/025 & Keywords (blow, fan, assist, applicator, vacuum, suck) and like terms. Applicant/Inventor (David Horwood and Willem Ovink) name search in AusPat and INTESS. C. DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT Category* Citation of document, with indication, where appropriate, of the relevant passages Relevant to claim No. Documents are listed in the continuation of Box C x I Further documents are listed in the continuation of Box C See patent family annex * Special categories of cited documents: "A" document defining the general state of the art which is not "T" later document published after the international filing date or priority date and not in considered to be of particular relevance conflict with the application but cited to understand the principle or theory underlying the invention "E" earlier application or patent but published on or after the "X" document of particular relevance; the claimed invention cannot be considered novel international filing date or cannot be considered to involve an inventive step when the document is taken alone "L" document which may throw doubts on priority claim(s) or "Y" document of particular relevance; the claimed invention cannot be considered to which is cited to establish the publication date of another involve an inventive step when the document is combined with one or more other citation or other special reason (as specified) such documents, such combination being obvious to a person skilled in the art "O" document referring to an oral disclosure, use, exhibition or other means document member of the same patent family "P" document published prior to the international filing date but later than the priority date claimed Date of the actual completion of the international search Date of mailing of the international search report 7 March March 2016 Name and mailing address of the ISA AU Authorised officer AUSTRALIAN PATENT OFFICE Ronish Cliaudhary PO BOX 200, WODEN ACT 2606, AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIAN PATENT OFFICE address: pct@ipaustralia.gov.au (ISO 9001 Quality Certified Service) Telephone No Form PCT/ISA/210 (fifth sheet) (luly 2009)

12 INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT International application No. PCT/NZ2015/ Box No. II Observations where certain claims were found unsearchable (Continuation of item 2 of first sheet) This international search report has not been established in respect of certain claims under Article 17(2)(a) for the following reasons: 1. I I Claims Nos.: because they relate to subject matter not required to be searched by this Authority, namely: the subject matter listed in Rule 39 on which, under Article 17(2)(a)(i), an international search is not required to be carried out, including Claims Nos.: because they relate to parts of the international application that do not comply with the prescribed requirements to such an extent that no meaningful international search can be carried out, specifically: 3. I Claims Nos: because they are dependent claims and are not drafted in accordance with the second and third sentences of Rule 6.4(a) Box No. Ill Observations where unity of invention is lacking (Continuation of item 3 of first sheet) This International Searching Authority found multiple inventions in this international application, as follows: See Supplemental Box for Details I I As all required additional search fees were timely paid by the applicant, this international search report covers all searchable claims. I I As all searchable claims could be searched without effort justifying additional fees, this Authority did not invite payment of additional fees. I I As only some of the required additional search fees were timely paid by the applicant, this international search report covers only those claims for which fees were paid, specifically claims Nos.: I No required additional search fees were timely paid by the applicant. Consequently, this international search report is restricted to the invention first mentioned in the claims; it is covered by claims Nos.: 1-10 Remark on Protest The additional search fees were accompanied by the applicant's protest and, where applicable, the payment of a protest fee. I I The additional search fees were accompanied by the applicant's protest but the applicable protest fee was not paid within the time limit specified in the invitation. I No protest accompanied the payment of additional search fees. Form PCT/ISA/210 (third sheet) (July 2009)

13 INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT International application No. C (Continuation). DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT PCT/NZ2015/ Category* Citation of document, with indication, where appropriate, of the relevant passages Relevant to claim No. FR A l (PUDAL ROBERT) 27 April 1979 X ABSTRACT, DESCRIPTION, FIGS , 8-10 FR A l (PROHARAM RENE) 15 March 2013 X ABSTRACT, DESCRIPTION, FIGS , US A (PATTON) 20 July 1 43 X PAGE 1 LINES 1-4, PAGE 3 LINES 9-30, FIGS , 8-10 US A (ATKINSON ET AL) 08 May 1990 X ABSTRACT, COL 2 LINES 20-54, FIGS , 7-10 US A (MEADOR) 09 May 78 X ABSTRACT, COL 2 LINES 48-55, COL 3 LINE 6 1-COL 4 LINE 3, 10-FIGS , US 2006/ l (TAHAU ET AL) 22 June 2006 X ABSTRACT, PARA [0046]-[0056], FIGS , 10 US A (WILLIAMS) 10 June 1919 X PAGE 3 LINES 1-79, FIGS. 1, Form PCT/ISA/210 (fifth sheet) (July 2009)

14 Supplemental Box INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT International application No. PCT/NZ2015/ Continuation of: Box III This International Application does not comply with the requirements of unity of invention because it does not relate to one invention or to a group of inventions so linked as to form a single general inventive concept. This Authority has found that there are different inventions based on the following features that separate the claims into distinct groups: Claims 1 to 10 are directed to a pollen applicator. The feature of a blower and a vacuum collector is specific to this group of claims. Claim 11 is directed to an ozone dispenser. The feature of an ozone dispenser is specific to this claim. PCT Rule 13.2, first sentence, states that unity of invention is only fulfilled when there is a technical relationship among the claimed inventions involving one or more of the same or corresponding special technical features. PCT Rule 13.2, second sentence, defines a special technical feature as a feature which makes a contribution over the prior art. When there is no special technical feature common to all the claimed inventions there is no unity of invention. In the above groups of claims, the identified features may have the potential to make a contribution over the prior art but are not common to all the claimed inventions and therefore cannot provide the required technical relationship. Therefore there is no special technical feature common to all the claimed inventions and the requirements for unity of invention are consequently not satisfied a priori. Form PCT/ISA/210 (Supplemental Box) (July 2009)

15 INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT International application No. Information on patent family members PCT/NZ2015/ This Annex lists known patent family members relating to the patent documents cited in the above-mentioned international search report. The Australian Patent Office is in no way liable for these particulars which are merely given for the purpose of information. Patent Document/s Cited in Search Report Patent Family Member/s Publication Number Publication Date Publication Number Publication Date F A l 27 April 79 FR A l 27 Apr 1979 FR A 15 March FR Al 15 Mar FR B 04 Apr 2014 US A 20 July 1943 US A 20 Jul 1943 US A 08 May 1990 US A 08 May 1990 AU A 02 Jun 1988 FR A1 03 Jun 1988 FR B l 18 Jan 1991 IT B 19 Sep 1 90 JP S A 13 Sep 1988 NZ A 27 Mar 1990 NZ A 27 Mar 1990 US A 09 May 1978 US A 09 May 1978 US 2006/ A 1 22 June 2006 US A 22 Jun 2006 AU A l 25 May 2006 NZ A 29 Feb 2008 US A 10 June US A 10 Jun End of Annex Due to data integration issues this family listing may not include 10 digit Australian applications filed since May Form PCT/ISA/21 0 (Family Annex)(July 2009)