Abstract:
A mechanized system for exterminating and several embodiments thereof are presented. Steam is generated and transported to a movable applicator. The applicator is positioned over a designated area of ground and the steam is applied exterminating the insects on and/or under the designated area of ground.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Description of the Related Art 
       [0001]    Insect extermination, particularly for undesirable external insects, has been largely confined to chemical treatments. Zappers are used for certain flying insects. These chemical treatments are often ineffective and always create environmental and health concerns. 
         [0002]    Fire ants, in particular, are very aggressive and their bites are always hurtful and sometimes dangerous. The usual result from a chemical treatment is that the colony relocates. Often, they become even more aggressive as a result. 
         [0003]    One treatment often employed to exterminate fire ants is to pour boiling water on the colony bed. However, this treatment is often only partially effective and rarely kills the queen ants. Fire ants prepare an elaborate system of tunnels to get from the nest to the ground surface. The boiling water has the effect of collapsing these tunnels and thus shielding ants below from harm. 
         [0004]    Thus, there is a need in the art for a method and apparatus for a completely effective system for exterminating insects, particularly fire ants, and safe, both environmentally and for human and animals. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    A mechanized method and apparatus for exterminating insects on and/or under a designated area of ground comprising a steam power source; a movable applicator for applying steam to the designated area of ground; steam transport means for delivering steam from the steam power source to the applicator; and wherein, when the applicator is moved into position over the designated area of ground and steam is transported from the steam power source to the applicator, insects on and/or under the designated area of ground are exterminated. 
         [0006]    The method and apparatus as described above further comprising means coupled to the movable applicator for remotely controlling the movement of the applicator wherein the power source comprises a motor and a source for electrical power. 
         [0007]    The method and apparatus as described above wherein the steam power source comprises: a tank for storing a steam source; and means for converting the steam source into steam. 
         [0008]    The method and apparatus as described above wherein the steam source is water. 
         [0009]    The method and apparatus as described above further comprising means for sensing the amount of the steam source in the tank. 
         [0010]    The method and apparatus as described above further comprising means coupled to the sensing means for shutting off the steam converting means when the steam source has dropped to pre-determined level. 
         [0011]    The method and apparatus as described above wherein the means for converting the steam source into steam comprises a burner for heating the steam source in the tank for converting the steam source into steam and a fuel source coupled to the burner for delivering fuel to the burner. 
         [0012]    The method and apparatus as described above further comprising means for igniting the fuel at the burner. 
         [0013]    The method and apparatus as described above wherein the fuel is a gas. 
         [0014]    The method and apparatus as described above wherein the means for converting the steam source into steam comprises one or more electrodes immersed in the steam source in the tank for converting the steam source into steam and means for applying electrical power to the electrodes. 
         [0015]    The method and apparatus as described above further comprising system transport means for transporting the system to and from designated areas of ground. 
         [0016]    The method and apparatus as described above further comprising means for remotely operating and/or monitoring the system. 
         [0017]    The method and apparatus as described above further comprising means for manually lowering and raising the applicator. 
         [0018]    The method and apparatus as described above further wherein the means for manually lowering and raising may be used for transporting the system. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a side cross-sectional view of the mechanized insect exterminator with a steam producer powered by gas. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a side cross-sectional view of the mechanized insect exterminator with an electrically powered steam producer and apparatus for manually lowering and raising the applicator. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a side cross-sectional view of the mechanized insect exterminator with additional transport and operational apparatus. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    Whilst the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts, which can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Moreover, the present invention, while described for the extermination of fire ants and fire ant colonies, may be utilized to exterminate a wide variety of insects. 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a side, cross-sectional view of the mechanized exterminator  100  is depicted. The apparatus is affixed to a base  101 . The base  101  is made of durable material, such as steel, for example, and may be of any size, depending on the size of the apparatus to be secured on it. It will be appreciated that any suitable material may be used for the base  101 . In the instant embodiment, the base  101  is heavy which will assist in the application of the steam to the insect colony. 
         [0024]    An applicator  102  for steam is secure to and through the base  101  and is depicted in  FIG. 1  as extending below the bottom surface of the base. The applicator  102  may be made of any suitable material such as steel so long as it is able to tolerate the temperatures of the steam. A material that is heavy and weather and rust resistant is preferable. The applicator  102  is shown as an inverted, open and hollow circular hood or cover. It will be understood that the applicator  102  may be of any suitable size and shape so long as the opening at the bottom is large enough to cover a sufficient portion of the insect bed. 
         [0025]    In the instant embodiment of the present invention, the applicator  102  is shown extending below the bottom surface of the base  101 . In operation, it is desirable to insure that the applicator  102 , when positioned over the insect bed, will extend slightly into the ground surface thereby preventing or, at least, minimizing steam from escaping from the sides of the applicator  102  directly into the air. In the instant embodiment of the present invention, the base  101  is lowered on to the ground such that the applicator  102  covers the designated area of ground to be treated. The weight of the base  101 , all of the apparatus secured to the base  101 , and the applicator  102  all serve to force the applicator  102  into the ground to ensure maximum application of the steam on to and into the designated area of ground to be treated. 
         [0026]    It will be appreciated and understood that the present invention is not limited to the configuration described above. For example, the applicator  102  need not be secured to the base  101  and capable of separately being moved into position over the designated area of ground to be treated independent of the base  101  and other apparatus secured to the base. 
         [0027]    A steam transport  103  transports steam to the applicator  102  from a boiler  104  secured to the base  101 . The steam transport  103  may be made from any suitable material and may be of any suitable shape and size. It may be permanently secured to the boiler  104  and/or the applicator  102 . Alternately, it may be detachable from the applicator  102  so that, for example, the applicator  102  may be replaced or so that different size applicators may be used. Similarly, the steam transport may be detachable from the boiler  104  so, for example, the boiler can be replaced or that multiple boilers  104  can be secured to the base  101  and used with the same applicator  102 . It will further be appreciated that the steam transport  103  may be rigid or flexible. 
         [0028]    The boiler  104  includes a burner  108  disposed at the bottom of the boiler  104  for heating the steam fuel inside the boiler. The fuel is preferably water but it is understood that the present invention is not limited to water and that other fuels may be used and/or additives added. The boiler  104  should have a safe and easy method (not shown) for replenishing the fuel. 
         [0029]    A conduit  106  connects the burner  108  to a heating fuel source  105  secured to the base  101 . A valve  107  is used to control to flow of heating fuel from the source  105  to the burner  108 . as depicted in  FIG. 1 , the heating fuel source  105  is a replaceable and/or refillable canister with a gas such as propane. It will be appreciated that any suitable heating fuel may be used with the present invention and it is not limited to propane. Moreover, the heating fuel source  105  need not be canister nor need not be secured to the base  101 . For portability, it is preferable to have a heating fuel source that is easily transported from place to place. 
         [0030]    In operation, valve  107  of the system  100  is opened and heating fuel is applied to the burner  108 . The heating fuel is ignited at the burner  108  and the fuel is heated. This action may take place before or during transport of the system to the designated area for treatment. Once the fuel is sufficiently heated, the base  101  is lowered on to the ground such that the applicator  102  securely covers the designated area of ground for treatment. The steam from the applicator instantly exterminates any insects, such as fire ants, on the 
         [0031]    It will be appreciated and understood that the present invention is not limited to the configuration described above. For example, the applicator  102  need not be secured to the base  101  and capable of separately being moved into position over the designated area of ground to be treated independent of the base  101  and other apparatus secured to the base. 
         [0032]    A steam transport  103  transports steam to the applicator  102  from a boiler  104  secured to the base  101 . The steam transport  103  may be made from any suitable material and may be of any suitable shape and size. It may be permanently secured to the boiler  104  and/or the applicator  102 . Alternately, it may be detachable from the applicator  102  so that, for example, the applicator  102  may be replaced or so that different size applicators may be used. Similarly, the steam transport may be detachable from the boiler  104  so, for example, the boiler can be replaced or that multiple boilers  104  can be secured to the base  101  and used with the same applicator  102 . It will further be appreciated that the steam transport  103  may be rigid or flexible. 
         [0033]    The boiler  104  includes a burner  108  disposed at the bottom of the boiler  104  for heating the steam fuel inside the boiler. The fuel is preferably water but it is understood that the present invention is not limited to water and that other fuels may be used and/or additives added. The boiler  104  should have a safe and easy method (not shown) for replenishing the fuel. 
         [0034]    A conduit  106  connects the burner  108  to a heating fuel source  105  secured to the base  101 . A valve  107  is used to control to flow of heating fuel from the source  105  to the burner  108 . as depicted in  FIG. 1 , the heating fuel source  105  is a replaceable and/or refillable canister with a gas such as propane. It will be appreciated that any suitable heating fuel may be used with the present invention and it is not limited to propane. Moreover, the heating fuel source  105  need not be canister nor need not be secured to the base  101 . For portability, it is preferable to have a heating fuel source that is easily transported from place to place. 
         [0035]    In operation, valve  107  of the system  100  is opened and heating fuel is applied to the burner  108 . The heating fuel is ignited at the burner  108  and the fuel is heated. This action may take place before or during transport of the system to the designated area for treatment. Once the fuel is sufficiently heated, the base  101  is lowered on to the ground such that the applicator  102  securely covers the designated area of ground for treatment. The steam from the applicator instantly exterminates any insects, such as fire ants, on the designated ground area surface. The steam also penetrates the nest using the tunnels the fire ants have constructed. Because only steam is applied, the tunnels will remain in tact and not collapse, allowing the steam to completely penetrate and infiltrate the nest. After an appropriate period of time (depending on the size and depth of the nest underground) such as, for example, 15 minutes. The entire colony, including the queens, will be exterminated. The applicator  102  can then be lifted and moved on to the next colony to be exterminated. The application is environmentally friendly and not harmful to humans or animals since only water is used. Of course, care must be taken during usage to prevent burns by contact with any of the apparatus that is hot, but the system is designed for easy and safe operation. 
         [0036]    If the designated area to be treated has any grass or plant life growing, the steam will temporarily kill it. However, the grass or plant life will grow back. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a side cross-sectional view of a different embodiment  200  of the present invention is presented. The base  201 , the applicator  202 , the steam transport  203  and the boiler  204  function in the same manner as described for their counterparts in  FIG. 1 ; base  101 , applicator  102 , steam transport  103  and boiler  104 , respectively. 
         [0038]    The boiler  204  is equipped with one or more electrodes  208  (instead of a burner) to heat the fuel in the boiler  204 . The electrodes  208  are connected to an electrical power source  205 , such as a battery or generator, by electrical conduits  206 . A switch  207  is used to control the application of electricity to the electrodes  208  from the power source  205 . In operation, the system  200  works the same as that described for system  100  except that electrical power is used to heat the fuel in the boiler  204 . 
         [0039]    Also depicted in  FIG. 2  is a simple, manual piece of apparatus for lowering and lifting the base  201  of system  200 . A pair of wheels  211  are used to transport the system  200 . A control bar  223  in the shape of a three-quarter rectangle has each open end connected to a wheel  211  by a pin  222 . The control bar is also pivotally connected to both sides of the base  201  by means of a pivot assembly  221 . A hitch  210  is attached to the base  201  for connecting to a tractor, cart, truck or other vehicle and transport the system  200  to designated areas of ground for treatment. When the system is at the designated area, the transporting vehicle may be unhitched. By raising the control bar  223  and back over the system  200 , the applicator  202  is lowered on to the designated area of ground for treatment. After the treatment is finished, the control bar is returned to its previous position, thereby raising the applicator and the hitch  210  to be reconnected to the vehicle for further transport. 
         [0040]    The control bar  223  may be made of any suitable material and may be a variety of shapes. It is preferable, however, that the control bar  223  be made of a suit material and a suitable shape, so that the operator will not be burned by operating the control bar to raise or lower the system  200 . 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , yet another embodiment of the present invention is depicted as system  300 . The base  301 , the applicator  302 , the steam transport  303 , the boiler  304 , the burner  308 , the conduit  306  and the heating fuel source  305  function in the same manner as described for their counterparts in  FIG. 1 ; base  101 , applicator  102 , steam transport  103 , boiler  104 , the burner  108 , the conduit  106  and heating fuel source  105 , respectively. 
         [0042]    The base  301  is part of a frame assembly  309 . The base  301 , and all apparatus secured thereto, can be lowered to ground level and returned to normal by means of a motor  312  and hydraulic system  313 . The frame assembly  309  rides on wheels  311  and is attachable to a vehicle for transportation by means of a hitch  310 . 
         [0043]    The system  300  also includes a control panel  314  secured to the base  301  by a stem or pedestal  315 . The control panel  314  enables the operator to control and monitor the system  300 . As depicted in  FIG. 3 , the control panel may have steam pressure gauge  320  coupled by conduit  324  to a pressure sensor  321  in or on the boiler  304  and for monitoring the steam pressure in the boiler  304 . There may also be volume gauge  325  on the control panel  314  coupled to a sensor  322  in the boiler  304  by a conduit  323  for monitoring the level of fuel, such as water, in the boiler  304 . 
         [0044]    In  FIG. 3 , valve  307  is an automated valve which can be controlled remotely by a switch or dial  318  via conduit  319 . The valve  307  may also be connected to sensor  322  via conduit  323  so that valve  307  is automatically closed if sensor  322  detects a low volume of fuel level in the boiler  304 . 
         [0045]    Control panel  314  has a switch  316  coupled by conduit  317  to the motor  312  for remotely lowering and raising the base  301 . Additional feature may also be added to the control panel  314 . For example, a sparking switch (not shown) can be added and coupled to the burner  308 , for remotely igniting the fuel at the burner  308 . 
         [0046]    Thus, the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments for particular applications. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the present teachings will recognize additional modifications, applications, and embodiments within the scope thereof. 
         [0047]    It is, therefore, intended by the appended claims to cover any and all such applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.