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Portable steam and heat generator for pest controlPortable steam and heat generator for pest control description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070084422, Portable steam and heat generator for pest control. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 11/198,354 filed Aug. 8, 2005 which is a continuation-in-part of PCT/CA2004/000156 filed Feb. 9, 2004. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention is directed to an apparatus for controlling pests among other uses, particularly vegetation or weeds using a blast of hot air and steam, hot water or hot water vapor. In particular, the present invention is directed to an apparatus having a valve arrangement to maximize operation of the apparatus. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The control of unwanted pests, such as vegetative growth, is utilized to improve aesthetic appearance as well as removing the noxious pests or vegetation. In the past, one of the most common methods of controlling such unwanted growth was through the application of pesticides to the vegetation. Such pesticides, particularly herbicides, were commonly applied by spraying a liquid herbicide or through spreading of powders or granules. However, in recent years the use of herbicides has met with increased resistance owing to environmental, health and safety concerns. Herbicides can contaminate soil, air, groundwater and desirable vegetation and may cause health problems to those exposed to such chemicals. In view of these problems, the use of herbicides has been restricted or in some cases completely banned in many jurisdictions. [0004] Another common method of controlling unwanted vegetative growth is through physical removal of the plant. This method has drawbacks in that it is time consuming, labor intensive, physically demanding and disturbs the soil surface, exposing more weed seed. In addition if all of the plant material is not removed and some of the root structure remains, the plant may regrow and have to be removed yet again. [0005] As environmental concerns are reducing the use of pesticides, and the prohibitive costs and inefficiencies of manual weeding become apparent, the use of heat and/or steam for vegetation control is gaining popularity. Heat coagulates plant protein, destroying plant cells, disrupting vascular flow and respiration. Also waxy protective leaf coatings are removed, promoting dehydration and death of the plant. Studies have shown that exposure to 80 C. (176 F.) for one second can kill vegetation. Also steam or moist heat is superior to flame or dry heat for weeding as damp air transfers heat more readily, and is easier to apply in a downward direction (hot, dry air rises and diffuses faster). Steam or moist air is less likely to cause accidental fires and thus is safer than flame or dry heat. [0006] Recently, the use of heat to kill unwanted vegetation has been utilized and a number of apparatus to apply heat, generally in the form of hot water or steam have been proposed. Examples of such apparatus are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,385,106, 5,430,970, 5,927,601, 5,946,851, 6,029,589, 6,047,900, and 6,321,037, PCT Patent Application WO 00/22926 and New Zealand Patent Application 237,524 among others. [0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,385,106 describes cart, backpack, and vehicle mounted apparatus which utilize propane or electricity to heat water in a chamber which is then delivered along piping for application to the plant. One problem with this apparatus is that the heated water must travel along the tubing before application to the plant which may cause some cooling of the water. U.S. Pat. No. 5,430,970 describes an apparatus including an endless, ground-engaging belt, or apron, disposed immediately aft of a hot water spray. When hot water is sprayed on the weeds and undergrowth, the sprayed vegetation is not only compressed by the apron, but also heat from the water is retained therein, insulated from ambient conditions by the apron. [0008] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,927,601 and 6,047,900 describe a vehicle mounted apparatus for the application of pressurized hot water to vegetation particularly along roadside berms. The apparatus has a boiler arranged to heat water supplied under pressure from a water tank and then pass the heated water under pressure to an applicator head. Once again, the heated water must travel along extensive piping which can result in cooling of the water before it reaches the plant. [0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,946,851 describes a weed killing apparatus having a hollow chamber with an air inlet and an open hot air outlet, a source of compressed air to provide an air flow and a burner assembly for heating the air so that the air exits from the outlet as a blast of hot air and a means for introducing moisture to the heated air so that the plants are wetted and heated to kill them. [0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,589 describes a portable steam weed killing apparatus having an electrically powered steam generator which generates steam and delivers it through flexible tubing to a weed cover placed over the undesired plant. The apparatus, being electrically powered is limited in the area which can be treated which is dependent upon the length of extension cords and is thus not suitable for large scale operation. [0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,321,037 describes a hand held dispenser of hot water intended for weed control. The apparatus has a handle containing a hose connection for connecting to a domestic water supply, a flow regulator, a heating tube, an exit tube, and a nozzle. The handle is connected to a tube which contains a main electric heating element for heating the water as it flows from the bottom to the top of the apparatus before being piped through the exit tube to the nozzle. Once again, as the apparatus is powered by household electrical supply and connected to the domestic water supply, the range of operation of the apparatus is limited. [0012] PCT Patent Application No. WO 00/22926 describes a large tractor mounted unit which mixes hot gases and steam for application to weeds in agricultural applications. The mixture of hot gases and steam is mixed after the steam generator using pressure and then applied to the desired area. This apparatus is complicated to manufacture and operate. [0013] New Zealand Patent Application No. 237,524 describes a backpack mounted portable steam generator that generates steam within the handle of the applicator and delivers the steam by means of a tube to the target area. This apparatus suffers disadvantages in that the user may be exposed to the hot gases at the handle and the length of the tube may result in cooling of the steam, thereby reducing effectiveness. [0014] There thus remains a need for a simple, lightweight, portable, and cost effective apparatus for applying steam, hot water or hot water vapor and heat to unwanted vegetation to kill the vegetation and which utilizes minimal energy while maximizing efficiency in its operation. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0015] The present invention is directed to an apparatus for directing at least one of steam, hot water and hot water vapor along with hot air onto vegetation, the apparatus comprising a source of water and a source of fuel connected and supplying water and fuel to steam generator having a boiler heated by a burner, the apparatus including a valve arrangement between the source of water and fuel and the steam generator, the valve arrangement having a STAND-BY mode and an ON mode, the STAND-BY mode of the valve arrangement providing for a reduced flow of water and fuel to the steam generator to maintain a pilot flame in the burner and sufficient water flow to reduce the response time of the apparatus to generate at least one of steam, hot water and hot water vapor along with hot air as needed when the valve arrangement is placed in the ON mode. [0016] In an aspect of the invention, the valve arrangement includes two controls, a first control for controlling the flow of water and a second control for controlling the flow of fuel. [0017] In a further aspect of the invention, both the first and second controls are controlled by a single switch. [0018] In another aspect of the invention, both the first and second control have an ON position, an OFF and a STAND-BY position. [0019] In yet another aspect of the invention, the valve arrangement further includes a means for providing varying flow rates of water to the flash boiler to adjust the ratio of steam, superheated steam, hot water and hot water vapour for application to the target area. [0020] In yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for producing a blast of at least two of steam, superheated steam, hot air, hot water and hot water vapour for application to a target area, the apparatus comprising a holding means; a flash boiler heated by a burner, the flash boiler and burner coupled to said holding means; a fuel container connected and supplying fuel to the burner and a means for connecting the apparatus to a domestic water supply to supply water to the flash boiler, such that in use, fuel and water are supplied essentially simultaneously to the flash boiler and the burner and a blast is urged therefrom adjacent a target area. Continue reading about Portable steam and heat generator for pest control... Full patent description for Portable steam and heat generator for pest control Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Portable steam and heat generator for pest control patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Portable steam and heat generator for pest control or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Portable steam and heat generator for pest control Next Patent Application: Hydrogen peroxide injection engine and combustion fuel supplamentation Industry Class: Liquid heaters and vaporizers ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Portable steam and heat generator for pest control patent info. 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