Abstract:
A device ( 15 ) for the application of pesticides to animals as they feed and that accommodates wildlife of all sizes, poses no threat of harm to the animals, and maximizes the per capita application of pesticide. Whole kernel corn (or other feed) placed in a feed bin ( 30 ) is dispensed into a trough/receptacle ( 20 ) through an opening at the bottom of the bin. The trough/receptacle ( 20 ) is surrounded by pesticide applicators ( 40 ) such that as an animal feeds, some part of its head, neck and/or ears will contact one or more of the applicators. The applicators ( 40 ) are flexible and rotatable, so that animals attracted to the apparatus to feed are subjected to the application of a pesticide upon their head, neck, ears, and/or, where applicable, antlers or horns, the flexible and rotatable applicators ( 40 ) maximizing pesticide application with minimal stress to both the animal and device. The device employs a modular molded polyethylene design that is durable, economical, mass-producible, lightweight, and can be shipped for user-assembly, thereby reducing shipping and manufacturing costs.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to devices utilized to control the spread of ectoparasite-borne diseases and, more particularly, to an improved apparatus for feeding and applying pesticides onto animals, particularly wildlife such as deer. 
     2. Description of the Background 
     A variety of diseases are transmitted to humans and animals by ectoparasites such as ticks. Certain species of wildlife, such as white-tailed deer, propagate and harbor large populations of ectoparasites in direct proximity to areas populated by humans and their domesticated pets. An effective strategy for the prevention of disease transmission through the control of ectoparasites includes the pesticidal treatment of such wildlife found in and around human-populated areas. Unfortunately, direct treatment can be challenging, especially with species that are not easily captured, restrained or otherwise handled directly. Thus, access to wildlife in order to control ectoparasites remains a challenging problem, 
     There have been prior efforts to develop devices that passively (and surreptitiously) apply pesticides to wildlife. One noteworthy example by a subset of the present inventors is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,983 to Pound et al. As shown in FIG. 1, the Pound et al. &#39;983 patent discloses an apparatus for feeding and applying pesticides onto animals, particularly wildlife such as deer. This device includes a feed supply bin 20 that spills feed into either side of an open-topped receptacle 10. A pair of spaced apart vertical support members 30 carry pesticide applicators 31 positioned near the sides of the receptacle 10. Pesticide applicators 31 are positioned on each of the support members 30, and are adapted to apply pesticide onto an animal upon contact therewith. Pesticide is automatically supplied, for example, from pesticide reservoirs 50 at the lower end of each applicator 31 that wick pesticide into the absorbent material of the applicator. While the concept of the Pound et al. &#39;983 device is excellent, the structural features leave room for improvement both functionally and to achieve manufacturing economy. For example, the vertical support members 30 in the aforementioned apparatus are rigid and may obstruct (or certainly do not adapt to) wildlife as they crane their heads and/or necks to feed and, therefore, may not apply adequate pesticide. Moreover, the design suggested by Pound et al. &#39;983 was intended for sheet metal construction, thereby resulting in sharp edges that might cut the animals and susceptibility to oxidation. In addition, the entire product had to be fully assembled at the factory and shipped as a unit. This was very heavy and expensive. It has been found that a more economical modular design more suited for molded construction allows ready solutions to the foregoing problems (the Pound &#39;983 design is not well-suited for molding). A modular molded product is comparatively lightweight, and the components can be shipped for user-assembly, thereby saving significant shipping and manufacturing costs. Therefore, there remains a need for a like device possessing an improved means for accommodating wildlife of all sizes (inclusive of all species of deer, cattle, antelope, elk, etc.), and which is formed by a simple, scalable, durable and economically mass-producible design which can be manufactured wholly or partly by molding in order to provide for more widespread use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide an improved means for applying pesticides to wildlife that employs simple, durable modular componentry that is economical to manufacture, lightweight for economical shipping (the prior metal version was heavy and expensive to assemble), easy to assemble for user assemblage, and more rugged and durable in the field. 
     It is another object to provide a plastic-molded means for applying pesticides to wildlife as described above that avoids sharp and rusty edges to maintain the safety of the animals and operators. 
     It is still another object to provide an improved means for maximizing the per capita application of pesticide to deer, utilizing flexible applicators that adapt to and can accommodate animals that vary greatly in physical size, without obstructing them. 
     In accordance with the above objects, the present invention is designed for the application of pesticides to animals as they feed. In use, the apparatus of this invention is positioned in the locus or vicinity of the animals to be treated with feed loaded in the feed bin. Animals attracted to the apparatus to feed will be subjected to the application of a pesticide upon their head, neck, ears, and/or, where applicable, antlers or horns upon contact with one or more of a plurality of applicators. 
     Without being limited thereto, corn and other non-absorbent pelletized feeds are preferred. Attractions such as apple aromas may also be added to the feed as are conventional in the art. 
     While the apparatus may be used for applying pesticides to a wide variety of animals, including domesticated species, it is particularly valuable for the treatment of wild or captive animals, in particular those species that have antlers or horns (e.g. deer, antelope, elk, goats, cattle), as well as those that do not (swine, sheep, etc.). The preferred embodiment of the present invention is an economically-designed apparatus fabricated of a variety of lightweight, rigid materials (e.g. molded plastics) to provide the durability required by the nature of its usage. The main sub-assemblies of the present invention are well-adapted for molded fabrication and include a dual-compartment feed trough/receptacle, a feed bin, a plurality of pesticide applicators, and an optional pesticide reservoir/feed system. 
     Animal feed placed in the feed bin is dispensed into the trough/receptacle through an opening at the bottom of the bin. For the application of a pesticide to a feeding animal, a plurality of pesticide applicators are positioned proximate the two compartments of the trough/receptacle. The applicators are positioned such that as an animal feeds, some part of its head, neck and/or ears will contact one or more of the applicators. The applicators may be dosed with pesticide simply by wetting on a periodic basis (weekly), or automatically by an internal reservoir/feed system. To ensure contact between the animal and at least one applicator, the applicators are positioned relatively close together near the trough/receptacle feeding compartments. This creates limited side-long access through which the animal must crane their necks to reach the feeding compartment. The applicators are mounted on flexible masts that adapt to and can accommodate animals that may vary greatly in physical size, without obstructing them, thereby ensuring a full application of pesticide without exerting undue force on the applicators or the trough/receptacle. 
     The modular molded product employs a simple, durable, economically mass-producible design with lightweight components that can be shipped for user-assembly, thereby reducing shipping and manufacturing costs. In the field the device has greater utility because it accommodates wildlife of a variety of sizes, poses no threat of harm to the animals, and maximizes the per capita application of pesticide. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and certain modifications thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a prior art apparatus for feeding and applying pesticides onto animals from U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,983 to the inventors herein. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective fully-assembled view of an apparatus  15  for applying pesticides to wildlife according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective partial-assembly exploded view of the apparatus  15  of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective partial-assembly exploded view of the apparatus  15  of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of the apparatus  15  of  FIGS. 2-4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a flexible applicator  40  including support member  44  and applicator sleeve  41  according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the flexible applicator  40  flexible applicator  40  support members  44  flexible applicator  400   f    FIG. 6  shown in a deflected condition due to the introduction of a side load or force. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 2-5  are, respectively, a perspective fully-assembled view, two perspective partial-assembly exploded views ( FIGS. 3-4 ), and a top view ( FIG. 5 ) of the apparatus  15  for applying pesticides to wildlife according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
     The major structural components of the apparatus  15  have been simplified to five modular snap-fit plastic (e.g., polyethylene) component parts, including a lid  34 , feed bin  30 , feed trough/receptacle assembly  20 , a plurality of flexible applicators  40  anchored in the feed trough/receptacle assembly  20 , and two adjustable gate assemblies  53  for limiting access to the feed trough/receptacle assembly  20 . This modular embodiment facilitates packaging of the unassembled components and shipping in two compact boxes, rather than a fully assembled product. The simple snap-fit design allows the end-user to complete the assembly. Shipping costs are drastically reduced because non-freight carriers may be used. Assembly costs are reduced, and the replacement cost of expendable parts is reduced. The modular components are described in more detail below. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 3 , the molded plastic feed trough/receptacle assembly  20  is formed with side walls  21 , a bottom  22 , and two feeding compartments  24 . Presently, the feed trough/receptacle assembly  20  is rotationally molded, albeit blow- or injection-molding may also be suitable. The depth of each feeding compartment  24  is preferably sufficiently shallow to allow the animal to see over the top edge of the side walls  21  while feeding. Support legs and/or a base stabilizer (not shown in the Figures) may be used to prevent the tipping over of the apparatus  15  and to allow the trough/receptacle  20  to be positioned at some distance above the ground for ease of access by the appropriate animals, and notches  25  or sleeves may be molded into the trough/receptacle  20  as shown to seat the support legs. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the trough/receptacle  20  is fabricated of one piece molded in high density cross-linked polyethylene or high density polyethylene plastic with integral side walls  21 , bottom  22 , and recessed feeding compartments  24 , and molded sleeves  25  for press-fit insertion of support legs. 
     The feed bin  30  is open-topped and open-bottom, and the trough/receptacle  20  is formed with a central plateau that segregates the feeding compartments  24  and partially blocks the open-bottom of the feed bin  30  such that when the feed bin  30  is seated on the trough/receptacle  20  there are two opposing apertures left open at the bottom of the feed bin  30  from which feed drains evenly into the feeding compartments  24 . The recessed feeding compartments  24  are formed with an outwardly-angled surface for directing the feed downwardly and sideways away from the feed bin  30  toward the sides. The low-friction polyethylene of the feeding compartments  24  coupled with downward sloping surfaces has significantly less friction than galvanized metal surfaces, thus improving the flow of corn down the slopes. 
     The supply of animal feed for the apparatus  15  comes from the molded plastic feed bin  30  that is positioned above the trough/receptacle  20  and is dispensed from the bin  30  into the feeding compartments  24  where it may be accessed by animals, through the opposing apertures or openings at the lower end of the bin  30 . Preferably, a pair of guillotine divider gates  23  are inserted into corresponding notches formed in the sides of the trough/receptacle  20  to partially block access to the bin  30 . These gates  23  may be adjustable up/down to vary the size of the opening, or may be fixed and interchangeable (with varying apertures) in order to regulate the flow of the feed from the bin  30 . This helps to prevent large amounts of feed from being dispensed into the feeding compartment  24  at one time. Limiting the size of the openings to control the amount of feed dispensed into the feeding compartments  24  prevents the animal from rapidly consuming large amounts of feed and thus aids in keeping the animal at the apparatus  15  for a longer period of time. The use of adjustable gates  23  is preferred when it is envisioned that different feeds may be employed. It is also noteworthy that the floors  22  of the feeding compartments  24  are recessed below the feed slopes leading from the feed bin into feeding compartments  24 . This in combination with the gates  23  aid in preventing water and moisture from creeping back into the feed bin  30 , or from falling into the feeding compartments  24 , thereby soaking the corn. 
     Protection of the feed in the feed bin  30  is afforded by a plastic cover or lid  34  that may be friction fit, or pivotally attached to the bin  30 , and secured in place via two latching brackets  35 . The position of the bin  30  relative to the trough/receptacle  20  is not critical; it may be positioned approximately centrally or adjacent an end of the trough/receptacle  20 . 
     In accordance with the present invention, the feed bin  30  is fabricated of lightweight, rigid molded plastic (preferably also high density cross-linked polyethylene or high density polyethylene plastic) with annular reinforcing ribs  29 . The feed bin  30  is preferably anchored to the receptacle  20  by a friction-fit shroud  33  that fits over the sidewalls of the receptacle  20 . As best seen in  FIG. 3 , the outwardly extending shroud  33  is integral to the base of the feed bin  30  and is formed as a substantially horizontal plate with angled edges conforming to the sides of receptacle  20  to anchor it onto the receptacle  20 . The shroud  33  extends partially over the bin opening. 
     Both the feed bin  30  and trough/receptacle  20  are fully recyclable, may be made in any color, and include non-removable and non-fading EPA pesticide warning labels integrally formed into the plastic. The shape of the trough/receptacle  20  and the number of feeding compartments  24  may be varied, and other shapes (e.g. circular, oval, square) having more or fewer feeding areas may be utilized. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , adjustable gate assemblies  53  are provided over top the feeding compartments  24  to limit access thereto. Each gate assembly  53  comprises a secondary cover  54  fixedly attached to the feed bin shroud  33 , and covering a bottom adjustable plate  55 . Adjustable plate  55  is attached to mounting holes in the feed trough/receptacle  20 , and adjustable plate  55  is provided with a corresponding series of adjustment holes for screw-attachment. By sliding the plate  55  forward or backward feed access can be restricted in discrete increments (for example, 0″, ½″, 1″, and 1½″). The secondary cover  54  is then secured in place (via set screws or the like) to cover the slide plate  55 , and in this manner the adjustable gate assemblies  53  as a whole vary the feeding animals access to the feeding compartments  24 . The intent here is to limit access as much as possible so that the feeding animal needs to tilt their head to dig under the gate assembly  53  in order to reach the feed in feeding compartments  24 . This ensures that the animal makes full contact with flexible applicators  40  (to be described) all of which carry pesticide. 
     Each flexible applicator  40  (four are shown) comprises a support member  44  equipped with an absorbent applicator sleeve  41 . The support members  44  are positioned adjacent the outlying corners of each feeding compartment  24 , opposite the feed bin opening, and each is slidably inserted into a conforming sleeve formed in trough/receptacle  20 . Preferably, the base of each support member  44  is equipped with a detent pin for positive locking-engagement with the sleeves of trough/receptacle  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, four pesticide applicator sleeves  41  are slidably inserted, one on each support member  44 , likewise positioned at the corners of feed bin  30 . One skilled in the art will understand that the number of support members  44  and applicator sleeves  41  can be varied in accordance with the number of feeding compartments  24 . Pesticide applicator sleeves  41  extend upwardly above the upper edge of the trough assemblies&#39; side walls  21 . Pesticide applicator sleeves  41  are similar to paint rollers, and each is slidably inserted onto a corresponding support member  44 , which in turn is installed into a corresponding molded sleeve in trough/receptacle  20 . The pesticide applicator sleeves  41  may be secured in place on support members  44  by detent caps  42 . Pesticide applicator sleeves  41  are adapted to apply pesticide onto an animal upon contact. 
     Both the feed bin  30  and trough/receptacle  20  are preferably configured to be shipped separately and economically (for example, multiple feed bins  30  may be stacked), but otherwise the size/shape may be varied to meet a wide variety of application-specific parameters. Thus, the device may be shipped partially assembled for complete assembly by the user. Final assembly proceeds as follows: 
     1. Secure feed bin  30  to the trough/receptacle  20  with four (2 each side) screws and four flat washers as shown (for example, ¼×20×1″ screws). Install legs (not shown) in sleeves  25  in the trough/receptacle  20 . 
     2. Slide each divider gate  23  into the slot at each end of the trough/receptacle  20 . Assure that the divider gates  23  are fully seated. 
     3. Place adjustable plate  55  over mounting holes in the trough/receptacle  20 . In the illustrated embodiment adjustable plate  55  has four sets of adjustment holes. By sliding the plate  55  forward or backward feed access can be restricted by 0″, ½″, 1″, and 1½″. 
     4. Place secondary cover  54  over the adjustable plate  55  with mounting holes aligned to the adjustable plate  55  and the trough/receptacle  20 . Assemble as shown in  FIG. 4 , and install nine ¼″×20×1″ screws, and an equal number of flat washers. Repeat this procedure at both ends to install both secondary covers  54 . 
     5. Install four support members  44  into sleeves in the trough/receptacle  20 . The detent pins should snap into corresponding lock holes in the sleeves to hold the support members  44  in place. 
     6. Slide pesticide applicator sleeves  41  over each of the four support members  44  and install detent caps  42  overtop. Again, the detent pin of support members  44  should snap into lock holes in the caps  42  to hold the caps  42  in place. 
     7. Place container lid  34  onto feed bin  30  and secure the lid  34  to feed bin  30  with the latches  35 . 
     8. Fill the feed bin  30  and wet the pesticide applicator sleeves  41  with liquid pesticide. 
     Given the foregoing assembly, when attempting to feed, animals access the feeding compartments  24  from either side of the apparatus by inserting their heads between a support member  44  and the feed bin  30 . The animals are effectively forced by gate assemblies  53  to turn their head sideways, thereby ensuring better contact with an applicator sleeve  41 . The back of the head, the neck, and/or the ears of the animal will contact one of the applicator sleeves  41  during the feeding process, resulting in the application of the pesticide. Further enhancement of the pesticide application process occurs if the animal chooses to deliberately and/or vigorously rub against the applicators  41  while feeding. The application of the pesticide to the aforementioned areas of the animal provides significant ectoparasite control because they are the locations that usually harbor the greatest number of ticks. 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  are cross-sectional views of an exemplary flexible applicator  40  including support member  44  and applicator sleeve  41  according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6  shows support member  44  and applicator sleeve  41  in an unloaded condition (i.e. not subject to a side load or force), while  FIG. 7  shows them in a deflected condition due to the introduction of a side load or force (i.e. caused by a feeding animal). 
     As can be seen in both  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , the support members  44  are adapted to flex slightly such that they accommodate the head, neck, or ears of a feeding animal. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment of the support member  44 , this is accomplished by forming the support member with a spring-loaded rocker-base to allow a limited degree of rocking, with a tendency to right itself to an erect position when not biased. To this end each support member  44  further comprises an assembly of conventional PVC tubing components including a section of pipe  143  with a removable upper detent cap  42 . The cap  42  is held in place by a conventional thumb-detent pin  142  inserted into the pipe section  143  and protruding out through aligned holes in both the pipe section  143  and cap  141 . Thus, by depressing the detent pin  142  the cap may be easily removed to insert or replace the applicator  41  when necessary (by slidable insertion onto pipe section  143 ). The pipe section  143  extends downward to a rocker base  146  which may be a conventional threaded PVC pipe coupling. The pipe section  143  is seated loosely in the rocker base  146  and is not affixed, and so remains free to pivot therein by approximately +/−20 degrees in any direction. The pipe section  143  is biased into the rocker base  146  by an extension spring  145  that is extended between two pins  144 A &amp;  144 B. The first pin  144 A is inserted through the pipe section  143  midway along its length, while the second pin  144 B is inserted with a 90 degree offset through the rocker base  146  beneath the pipe section  143 . Thus, spring  145  compresses the pipe section  143  into the rocker base  146  and maintains it in an erect orientation when not influenced by outside pressure. The threaded rocker base  146  may be inserted directly into the sleeves in the trough/receptacle  20  (see  FIG. 4 ). The spacing and height of the support members  44 , as well as the diameter of the applicators  41 , can vary and may be readily determined by one skilled in the use of the apparatus  15 . The spacing of the support members  44 /applicators  41  and the feed bin  30  is sufficient to entice an animal to pass its head through an opening in order to access a feeding compartment  24 , but the recessed feed tray forces the animal to crane its neck such that the neck, ears, and/or back of the head of the animal will contact one or more of the applicators  41  during the feeding process. The height of the support members  44 /applicators  41  should be great enough to extend above the animal&#39;s head when feeding. The flexibility of the support members  44 /applicators  41  allows an animal possessing antlers, horns, etc. to feed just as easily as one that does not have them. 
       FIG. 6  shows support member  44  and applicator sleeve  41  in an unloaded condition (i.e. not subject to a side load or force), while  FIG. 7  shows them in a deflected condition due to the introduction of a side load or force (i.e. caused by a feeding animal). 
     One skilled in the art will understand that alternate support members  44  and applicators  41  are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, rather than a rocker base  46  the pipe section  143  may be rigidly mounted but formed of flexible material to allow bending, such as a solid rubber cylinder, a hollow rubber tube section, or a cylindrical spring fabricated of rust-resistant metal or plastic. 
     The applicators  41  may be constructed to deliver liquid (wet), solid or particulate (dry powder) pesticides. Virtually any pesticide may be applied including insecticides, specifically acaricides. However, only EPA approved/allowed pesticides may legally be used, and those that are specifically listed below are EPA approved. In the illustrated embodiment, the applicator sleeve  41  is an absorbent material that is periodically saturated (e.g. when the feed storage bin  30  is refilled) with pesticide. An absorbent material such as Draylon™ fabric wrapped about a tubular plastic or cardboard core is suitable for this purpose. A ½″-¾″ nap fabric works well (and retains the tickicide for a full week), and a bonded plastic core lasts longer than cardboard cores. The applicators  41  are periodically dosed with pesticide simply by wetting with tickicide on a weekly basis. The preferred tickicide is EPA approved 4 Poster (tm) liquid tickicide which is 10% permethrin-based. Alternatively, rather than periodic wetting, an optional on-demand automatic feed/delivery system may be used as described below. 
     The optional pesticide feed/delivery system is more suitable in remote locations where weekly maintenance is undesirable. In accordance an embodiment incorporating a gravity-fed delivery system, the supply of pesticide to the applicators may occur through a pesticide reservoir connected with the top of each applicator sleeve  41  through a conduit. To prevent dripping and/or excess accumulation of pesticide on the applicators  41 , pressure activated flow control valves may be provided to open and allow the flow of pesticide onto the applicators  41  when pressure, or a side load/force, is applied upon the applicator sleeve  41  by the feeding animal. Preferred valves include, but are not limited to, conventional spring-loaded pinch valves. In addition, a shut-off valve may also be provided to disrupt flow completely. One skilled in the art will understand that a variety of other liquid-based delivery systems may be utilized. For example, a pesticide reservoir may be located within the molded body of the trough/receptacle  20  below the lower end of each applicator sleeve  41  (or each pair of applicators), with pesticide being wicked into the absorbent material of the applicator sleeve  41 . In yet another alternative embodiment, a pressure activated pump or a pressurized container may be utilized to transfer pesticide from a reservoir to the applicators  41 . These variations are considered to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
     Furthermore, solid pesticides may also be used. In this case, the applicators  41  may be plastic strips impregnated with dry pesticide, the strips being wrapped or wound around each support member  44 . Pesticide-laden materials/strips suitable for use in this embodiment include, but are not limited to, Taktic strips impregnated with amitraz and commercially available from Hoechst Roussel Agri-Vet Company of Sommerville, N.J. 
     In all such cases the apparatus  15  may be used for the control of a variety of animal/wildlife-borne ectoparasites including, but not limited to, ticks (e.g. deer ticks, cattle fever ticks, ear ticks), mites (e.g. ear mites), lice, fleas, and flies (e.g. horn flies, stable flies). 
     Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiment and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth herein. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     There is a significant commercial demand for an improved feeder device that concurrently applies pesticides to wildlife to control the spread of ecto-parasite-borne diseases and, more specifically, a feeder/applicator that accomplishes these goals by a simple, durable molded design that can be economically manufactured and mass-produced to provide for more widespread use. The present invention fulfills this demand with a multi-part molded design that combines a refillable feeding bin with flexible pesticide applicators for the application of pesticides to animals as they feed from the bin, the applicators accommodating animals that vary greatly in physical size. The feeder/applicator of this invention is positioned in the locus or vicinity of the animals to be treated. Animals attracted to the apparatus to feed will be subjected to the application of a pesticide upon their head, neck, ears, and/or, where applicable, antlers or horns upon contact with one or more of the applicators.