Abstract:
A climate-controlled pest control station includes a protective enclosure containing a pest control material and/or pest control device. A reflector or heat shield protects the enclosure from impinging infrared radiant energy, thereby moderating the internal air temperature in the enclosure. At least part of the enclosure may be insulated against heat transfer. A vent in the enclosure facilitates exhausting hot and/or humid air from the enclosure. A fan or blower may be provided for forcing hot and/or humid air from the enclosure.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates to pest control devices, and more particularly relates to a climate-controlled pest control station that provides moderated maximum internal temperatures and humidity.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Professional exterminators, home and business owners, and maintenance personnel commonly place pest control equipment around the exteriors or interiors of buildings to control, monitor, or exterminate pests. For example, pest control stations may be placed around the exteriors of buildings to control rodents or other pests. Such pest control stations typically include a durable outer enclosure configured to prevent or at least discourage unauthorized persons from opening the enclosure and contacting materials inside. Such tamper-resistant enclosures often house pest control products such as toxic or non-toxic bait, adhesive trapping devices, toxic or non-toxic powders or liquids, killing devices such as snap traps, and/or live trapping devices. The enclosures are configured to permit rodents or other pests to enter the enclosure, and to access the pest control materials or devices inside.  
         [0003]     Particularly when such pest control stations are placed outdoors, pest control products contained within the enclosures may degrade due to high internal temperatures and/or high internal humidity. For example, edible pest control bait can melt from excessive heat or can mold from excessive humidity, thereby rendering the bait less edible and less effective against targeted pests. The prior art includes pest control stations that are tamper-resistant to humans and accessible to pests, but such known stations fail to adequately address the issue of maintaining or prolonging the effectiveness of pest control materials within the stations.  
         [0004]     For example, known pest control stations are believed to have outer surfaces with a surface reflectance of less than or equal to about 0.3. Therefore, the outer surfaces of known pest control stations are believed to absorb at least about 70 percent of all infrared solar radiation that impinges upon such surfaces, and thereby permit substantial radiant heating of such stations. The phrase “infrared radiation” as used herein refers to thermal radiation situated outside the visible spectrum at its red end (i.e. radiation having a wavelength from about 700 nanometers to about 1 millimeter). In addition, known pest control stations include enclosures with thin walls having extremely low thermal resistances or R-values. The R-value or Resistance-value of a material is a measure of the material&#39;s resistance to heat flow. Therefore, the poorly insulated enclosures of known pest control stations do little to prevent the conduction of heat into the stations.  
         [0005]     Accordingly, there is a need for a pest control station that protects persons against undesired contact with the contents of the station, while also moderating the internal climate of the bait station to prevent or at least minimize degradation of the contents. More specifically, there is a need for a pest control station that effectively moderates maximum internal temperatures within the station. In addition, there is a need for a pest control station that effectively moderates maximum internal humidity within the bait station.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]     The invention includes a climate controlled pest control station including an enclosure and means for moderating the maximum internal temperature within the enclosure. The invention also includes a climate controlled pest control station including an enclosure and means for moderating humidity within the enclosure.  
         [0007]     In one embodiment, the pest control device includes an enclosure and a heat shield at least partially covering at least a portion of the enclosure. The enclosure defines an interior space capable of receiving a pest control composition or pest control device The enclosure includes at least one exterior surface. A reflector or heat shield may be provided to substantially shield the exterior surface from radiant thermal energy. The reflector is capable of reflecting more radiant energy than the exterior surface of the enclosure alone.  
         [0008]     Another embodiment of a pest control device according to the invention includes an enclosure having a thermal insulating layer. The thermal insulating layer may be a layer of insulating foam, for example.  
         [0009]     Another embodiment of a pest control device according to the invention includes an enclosure, and at least one vent in the enclosure. The vent is configured to permit at least some air within the enclosure to exit the enclosure.  
         [0010]     The invention also includes a method of moderating the climate within a pest control enclosure. The method may include at least partially shielding the enclosure against radiant thermal energy. The method may also include venting air from within the enclosure.  
         [0011]     A more thorough understanding of the invention may be had from a reading of the following detailed description together with the drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a pest control station according to the invention having an enclosure with a reflective outer surface;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the pest control station of  FIG. 1  shown with its top cover in an open position;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3   a  is a cutaway perspective view of another embodiment of a pest control station having a separate heat shield member;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3   b  is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3   a  showing the heat shield removed from the enclosure;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of a pest control station including a heat shield member having an ornamental or camouflaging outer shape;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a pest control station having a leak-resistant vent;  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the top cover of the embodiment of  FIG. 5  with a portion of the vent assembly broken away to show the interior of the leak-resistant vent;  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a pest control station having a side vent opening in the enclosure with a blower fan mounted in the vent opening; and  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a pest control station having an insulating layer in its top cover with a portion of the insulating layer broken away. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0021]     Reference is made to the drawings, wherein like numbers denote like parts throughout the various embodiments shown.  
         [0022]      FIG. 1  shows one embodiment  10  of a pest control station according to the invention. The pest control station  10  includes an enclosure  16  formed by a base  36  and a cover  12 . Preferably, the cover  12  is removably or movably attached to the base  36 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the cover  12  may be hingedly attached to a sidewall  26  of the base  36 . The base  36  also includes a floor  24 . The interior of the pest control station  16  may include one or more partition or baffle walls  28  defining one or more internal compartments  40  within the base  36 . The base  36  and cover  12  preferably are constructed of a molded polymeric material such as polyethylene. In a preferred embodiment, the cover  12 , base  36 , and partition walls  28  have a nominal wall thickness of about 2 mm.  
         [0023]     Pests such as rodents enter the pest control station  10  through one or more access openings  14  in the sidewalls  26  and traverse the runways  18  to access the internal compartments  40 . A pest control composition  42  such as a bait material, an adhesive trapping substance, a pesticide, or the like may be placed in one or more of the compartments  40 . Removable trays, place packs, or other containers  44  containing such pest control materials may be placed within the compartments  40 . In addition, a securing rod  50  may be included for suspending and securing a bait block  52  within a compartment  40 . A pest control device  46  such as a snap trap, a live trap, or the like also may be placed in one or more of the compartments  40 .  
         [0024]     The cover  12  may include a reflective outer surface  38  for reflecting impinging radiant energy such as sunlight in order to moderate the internal air temperature within the enclosure  16 . The reflective surface  38  may be highly reflective, such as a metallic mirrored finish. Such a highly reflective surface may be achieved by attaching a metallic film or a metallized polymeric film such as metallized Mylar® to the outer surface of the cover  12 . Alternatively, other types of reflective surfaces  38  may be used. For example, the surface  38  may be a smooth or glossy reflective plastic surface. The reflectivity of such a smooth or glossy surface may be enhanced by providing the cover surface  38  with a white or light color, such as light gray for example. Preferably, the reflective surface  38  is capable of reflecting more than about 70 percent of impinging infrared solar radiation. In other words, the reflective surface  38  preferably has a surface reflectance greater than about 0.3. The term “reflectance” as used herein means the fraction of the total infrared radiant flux incident upon a surface that is reflected rather than absorbed. Infrared radiation is radiation situated outside the visible spectrum at its red end, and having a wavelength between about 700 nanometers and 1 millimeter. By reflecting a substantial portion of impinging solar radiant energy, the reflective surface  38  acts as a solar radiation shield and helps to minimize the radiant heating and resultant temperature of the cover  12 . Because a portion of any radiant heat energy absorbed by the cover ultimately is transferred to air within the enclosure by convection, radiation, and/or conduction, the reflective surface  38  also is effective in moderating the internal air temperature within the enclosure  16 .  
         [0025]     In another embodiment  100  of the invention as shown in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b , a pest control station  100  may include an auxiliary cover or heat shield  120  that substantially covers the exposed outer surfaces of the underlying enclosure  116  comprising the primary cover  112  and base  136 . As shown in  FIG. 3   b , the shield  120  may include a cutout  132  that substantially aligns with an access opening  114  in the base  136 . As shown in  FIG. 3   a , the shield  120  and primary cover  112  preferably define an insulating air gap  128 . A plurality of spacers or bosses  134  may be provided on the shield  120  or cover  112  to maintain a desired space or gap  128  between the cover  112  and shield  9 . The insulating air gap  128  substantially impedes heat transfer between the outermost shield or cover  120  and air contained within the enclosure  116 . The shield  120  may be provided with downwardly depending sidewalls  124  as shown in  FIG. 3  that shield the sidewalls  126  of the enclosure  116 . The shield  120  preferably is constructed of a molded polymeric material such as polyethylene, and has a nominal wall thickness of about 2 mm. Alternatively, the shield  120  may be constructed of metal (such as galvanized steel, for example), a ceramic material, or any other suitable material. The shield may also include an insulating layer  123  on an inside surface as shown in  FIG. 3   a . Preferably, the insulating layer  123  has an R-value of at least about 0.50 hr·ft 2 ·° F./Btu as measured with a heat flow meter per ASTM C518 at a mean temperature of about 75° F. The term “R-value” as used herein means the reciprocal of the amount of heat energy transferred per area of material per degree difference between the outside and inside (hr·ft 2 ·° F./Btu). In other words, “R-value” is the reciprocal of a material&#39;s thermal conductivity.  
         [0026]     Like the cover  12  described above, the shield  120  may be provided with a reflective outer surface  126  on its top  122  such that the shield acts as a radiation shield to minimize radiant heating of the shield  120  and any subsequent indirect heat transfer to air within the underlying enclosure  116 . Preferably, the reflective surface  126  is capable of reflecting at least about 70 percent of impinging infrared solar radiation. In other words, the reflective surface  126  preferably has a surface reflectance of greater than about 0.3. The reflective surface  126  may be a metallic, mirrored, glossy, and/or light-colored surface, for example.  
         [0027]     As shown in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b , the pest control station  100  may include a shield  120  having a substantially rectilinear or curvilinear outer shape. In addition, as shown in  FIG. 4 , a pest control station  150  according to the invention may include a shield  152  that has an ornamental or camouflaging outer shape, such as the shape of a rock or the like. The ornamental or camouflaging outer shape of the shield  120  provides the pest control station  150  with an outer appearance that complements or blends with the station&#39;s environmental surroundings. Like the embodiment  120  described above, the ornamental or camouflaging shield  152  may include a reflective outer surface  154  having a reflectance greater than about 0.3.  
         [0028]      FIGS. 5 and 6  show another embodiment  200  of a climate-controlled pest control station according to the invention. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the cover  212  may include an air vent  220 . The air vent  220  preferably is configured to prevent rainwater, dust, or the like from entering the enclosure  216  through the vent  220 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , the vent  220  (shown in cutaway for ease of illustration) includes a chimney or pipe  226  extending above a vent opening  222  in the uppermost surface  228  of the cover  212 . A shroud  220  is attached to and substantially covers the open upper end of pipe  226 . The shroud  220  permits hot and humid air within the enclosure  216  to exit the vent  220 , while substantially preventing rainwater, dust, or debris from falling into the open pipe  226 . Preferably, the pipe  226  is integrally molded with the cover  212 , and the shroud  220  is configured to snap onto or otherwise securely engage the standpipe  226 . By permitting hot and humid air to pass from the enclosure  216 , the vent  18  effectively moderates both the temperature and humidity of the air within the enclosure  216 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 7  shows another embodiment  300  of a climate-controlled pest control station according to the invention. In this embodiment  300 , at least one vent opening  320  is provided in a sidewall  326  of the base  336 . A fan or blower  324  is positioned within the vent opening  320 . The fan or blower  324  may be configured to draw cooler and/or drier air from outside the enclosure  316  through the vent opening  320 , thereby causing displaced hot and/or humid air within the enclosure  316  to exit the enclosure  316  through other openings or gaps in the enclosure  316 , such as through the access openings  314 . Alternatively, the fan or blower  324  may be configured to draw hot and/or damp air from inside the enclosure  316  through the vent opening  320  and into the ambient air surrounding the enclosure  316 , thereby causing cooler and drier ambient air to be drawn into the enclosure through other openings or gaps in the enclosure  316 , such as through the access openings  314 . In this arrangement, any heat generated by the fan is not introduced to the air within the enclosure. The fan or blower  324  may be battery or solar powered, for example, to maximize the portability of the pest control station  300 . The fan or blower  324  may include a thermostat  358  to limit operation of the fan or blower  324  to periods of excessive heat within the enclosure  316 . The thermostat  358  also may be configured to transmit climate measurements to a modem  360  and a remote computer  370  or the like. In addition, the computer  370  may be used to remotely set the thermostat  358  to a desired control temperature.  
         [0030]     A pest control station  400  according to the invention may also include a cover  412  having an insulating layer  420  as shown in  FIG. 8 . In this embodiment  400 , a layer of thermal insulating material  420  such as insulating foam is positioned adjacent to an undersurface  422  of the cover  412 . The insulating layer should have a thermal resistance of at least about 0.50 hr·ft 2 ·° F./Btu as measured with a heat flow meter per ASTM C518 at a mean temperature of about 75° F. For example, the insulating layer may be constructed of a sheet of polystyrene foam having a thickness of greater than equal to about 0.125 inch. In addition, an air gap  424  may be provided between the insulating layer  420  and cover surface  422  to provide a further thermal barrier between the cover  412  and air within the enclosure  416 . The insulating layer  420  minimizes the amount of heat transfer from the cover  412  to air within the pest control station  400 , thereby effectively moderating the temperature within the pest control station  400 .  
         [0031]     Various embodiments of the invention have been separately described above to illustrate various features and aspects of the invention. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the various climate control features described above are not exclusive of each other, and may be combined together in various ways. For example, the invention includes a climate-controlled pest control station having a cover with a reflective surface, a heat shield, a cover having an insulating layer, a leak-resistant air vent, and a forced-air vent. Alternatively, a pest control station according to the invention may lack one or more of the described climate control features. These and other such modifications to the described embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the appended claims.