Abstract:
There is provided an insect attractant and elimination platform, the platform featuring an environment-tolerant, high volume, continuous liquid feed device and method for the eradications of ants, insects, and other pests. Preferably, the invention includes a reservoir for storing a predetermined quantity of liquid bait; a base in cooperation with the reservoir for receiving predetermined quantities of liquid bait accessible to the insect pests; and a stabilizing device removably attached to the base for favorable positioning of the device. A weather shield is integrated or cooperates with the reservoir portion of the device to protect the liquid bait from damaging environmental elements.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/262,797 filed Jan. 22, 2001, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to the field of insect pest control and provides a weather-tolerant, high volume, continuous feed liquid ant bait delivery platform to eliminate various insect or pest species and their colonies. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     There are currently two ant species that are increasingly causing significant agricultural damage, as well as personal injury, and in some well-documented cases, death to humans and animals. 
     The imported fire ant ( solenopsis invieta ) from South America is believed to have entered the United States through the seaport of Mobile, Ala. in the late 1930&#39;s. These fire ants have spread throughout the southern United States and are currently infesting over 310 million acres (Reference: U.S. Department of Agricultural Research Service, 9-21, 1999 “Red Imported Fired Ants . . . still going: by Tar Weaver Missick). The imported fire ants are aggressive in nature, and annually destroy crops and wildlife costing hundreds of millions of dollars in damage. They are a stinging ant and cause hypersensitivity reactions as well as infections. 
     The second ant specie is the white-footed ant ( technomyrmex albipes ). The white-footed ant is a native of Japan, and was discovered in the United States in southeast Florida in 1990. The white-footed ant has spread and now has a confirmed population in seven Florida counties. This specie of ant is responsible for crop and landscape damage mainly because it protects and cares for crop destroying insects in order to harvest their honeydew. The white-footed ants reproduce at a much greater rate than all other species inhabiting the United States (Reference: University of Florida Department of Entomology and Nemotology—‘Pest Alert’, Aug. 19, 1998 “White footed ant on the move in Florida” by Dr. Tweissling). The population in each of their colonies can exceed well over two million inhabitants. 
     In outdoor environments, ants primarily subsist on water and various foods. Thus, the current art employs both dry and liquid forms of attractants to bait the ants as they forage for water and food. The bait poisons the ants by ingestion or absorption, or entices the ants into a trap device, whereafter they are eliminated by various means. 
     Older examples of art include U.S. Pat. No. 1,372,780 to Schenke that discloses a bell shaped top having side apertures, the top fitting over and clamping to a dish shaped base. U.S. Pat. No. 2,123,995 to Harrom that discloses a flat piece of sheet metal bent over an insecticide to partially cover the substance while allowing insects direct access. U.S. Pat. No. 2,977,711 to Starr discloses a poison bait station for exterminating rodents that embodies a shield or housing and a base. U.S. Pat. No. 4,251,946 to Lindley discloses a trap for snails and slugs which includes a housing with pesticide disposed therein, the housing having multiple doorways to permit ready entry by the snails and slugs, which doorways are closable to permit easy disposal and shipment, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,563,836 to Woodruff discloses an insect feeding station comprised of a simple cover that fits over a base. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,097 to Rhodes discloses a poison dispenser that holds a poison in solid form for fire ants and other small insects. The dispenser includes a base adapted to be staked to the ground in an infested area, and a roof supported on the base by an upstanding tubular member. The roof extends down over the base almost to the ground to define a narrow space around the perimeter of the trap to enable ants and other insects to enter the enclosure. A quantity of poison bait is placed within the upstanding tubular member. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,573,278 to Schlesinger discloses a poison liquid container for eliminating ants. The poison liquid container includes a base having a wall, a wick and a cover. Openings are provided at the bottom of the wall so that ants may have access to the interior of the wall. The wick is disposed in a recess of the wall and extends above the base. Poison liquid is poured onto the wick so that the ants may feed thereon. The cover prevents spillage of the poison. 
     Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,229 to Demarest discloses a bait station for the control of insects, especially roaches, that has a reservoir portion for holding a liquid bait-toxicant formulation that fits into a base structure. The base structure has around its circumference a ramped structure that defines a central well area. Rising from the ramped structure are a plurality of support walls that both support the reservoir portion and define access openings to the central well area. The bait-toxicant formulation is controllably released from the reservoir into the central well area. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,548,922 to Wefler discloses an insect bait station for offering a liquid insect bait to targeted insects and a method of offering liquid insect bait to targeted insects. The insect bait station includes a hollow body having a base and a cover joined in liquid-tight relation. The base has a floor and the cover has a stage positioned generally parallel to and above the floor of the base. The cover has an ascending ramp that extends upwardly from the cover rim to a cover mount, and a descending ramp that extends downwardly from the cover mount to the stage. Interiorly facing surfaces of the floor and cover define a holding chamber wherein liquid insect bait may be confined. Spill-resistant access means provides a targeted insect located on the stage access to liquid insect bait confined within the holding chamber. Preferably, the spill-resistant access means includes a capillary liquid transport means for transporting the liquid insect bait upwardly from the floor of the base to a location where it is accessible to a targeted insect. The method includes the steps of providing an insect bait station made in accordance with the specification and placing it in a location frequented by the targeted insects. 
     In view of the foregoing, the prior and current art provide various means for eliminating ants in an outdoor environment. Current means generally consists of dry baits and liquid formulations that are either spread on the ground or placed in containers. Ants often ignore dry baits, due to fluctuations in temperature and humidity. Furthermore, dry baits often decompose under various environmental conditions. Liquid baits evaporate under various environmental conditions, resulting in increased toxicity of the liquid bait. The increased toxicity tends to kill worker ants before the worker ant can return to and feed its colony, thus greatly decreasing the overall effectiveness of the liquid bait. Decomposition of both dry and liquid bait also greatly reduces the efficacy of the bait. 
     It is desirable, therefore, to provide an effective elimination system for insects or other pests that lures and eradicates the intended pests via use of slow-acting, low toxic liquid bait. Further, it is desirable to provide such a system having continuous flow whereby a quantity of attractant or poison can be maintained without the frequent, burdensome refill of the same. Finally, such a system should provide adequate protection to the liquid contents thereof, while substantially prohibiting access to the liquids by those for whom and which it is not intended. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention addresses the longstanding, but heretofore unresolved, issues noted in the prior and current art with a Liquid Gravity Feed Ant Elimination System (hereafter, LGFAES). The LGFAES provides a low-maintenance, weather resistant ant elimination system via a practical, safe mechanical liquid delivery platform designed for use with a low-toxic liquid attractant or poison. The LGFAES dispenses a controlled amount of low toxic liquid bait over an extensive period of time under outdoor weather conditions with greatly reduced liquid loss resulting from evaporation. 
     Preferably, the LGFAES includes reservoir, base, and a stabilizing device. It is contemplated that the reservoir receives and stores a predetermined amount of liquid attractant, poison, or a combination of the same. Preferably, the reservoir functions as, or cooperates with, a shield. The shield provides protection for the liquid contents from the elements, environmental conditions, and the like. 
     The base cooperates with the reservoir to receive a relatively small amount of liquid therefrom. The attractant portion of the liquid lures the ants toward the LGFAES, and to the liquid itself. Once the ants locate the liquid and ingest it, they carry it back to the colony and expose the colony to the toxin which substantially eliminates the colony in its entirety. Certain liquid toxins may be used in conjunction with the LGFAES for mass remote extermination of a colony of insects. For example, a single ant contacts the toxin in the LGFAES, carries the same back to its colony, and exposes the colony to the toxin, which substantially eliminates the colony in its entirety. The base also functions to prevent spillage and leakage outside the immediate area of the base. The reservoir, shield, and base serve to discourage access to the liquid contents by those for whom and which it is not intended; i.e., children, small pets, and the same. 
     The stabilizing device removably attaches to the base to facilitate secure positioning of the LGFAES in the ground. Alternatively, the stabilizing device forms an integral unit with the base of the LGFAES. Generally, the stabilizing device comprises a stake that tapers in a direction away from the base to facilitate easy insertion of the stake into the ground. Once inserted, the stake maintains the position of the LGFAES until removal from the ground. In various embodiments, the stake may be removed and reattached at will from the base of the LGFAES to accommodate various environments and terrains, subject to the requirement of the user. 
     The foregoing examples represent several embodiments of the present invention; however, a skilled artisan will recognize that the examples in no way limit the invention disclosed herein. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an assembled liquid gravity feed ant elimination system according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of another preferred assembled liquid gravity feed ant elimination system according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a plan view of a base of the liquid gravity feed ant elimination system of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a side view in cross section of the base of the liquid gravity feed ant elimination system of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a side view in partial cross section of the reservoir, shield, and base components of the liquid gravity feed ant elimination system of FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the preferred system of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention comprehends a liquid gravity feed ant elimination system (LGFAES) to eradicate ants and other insects. The LGFAES system specifically provides a weather-tolerant, high volume, continuous feed liquid ant bait delivery system to eliminate problem-causing insects of various species and their colonies. The term “bait” as used herein, refers to any attractant, poison or combination of the same designed to attract and/or eliminate insects or pests, particularly ants. 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein like numbers are used to denote like items throughout, FIG. 1 illustrates a general, environmental side view of a first and preferred embodiment of an assembled LGFAES  10 . The LGFAES  10  is shown in its open position, as hereinafter described. 
     Turning now to FIG. 6, there is shown a cross-sectional view of the assembled LGFAES  10  according to the present invention. The LGFAES  10  includes a reservoir  11  and with the liquid bait, forms the weather-tolerant, high volume, continuous feed means for eliminating unwanted pests. Preferably, the LGFAES  10  comprises a shield  12 ; a base  14 ; and a stake  16 , as hereinafter described in detail. The LGFAES  10  is illustrated in the open (activated) position, which permits the ants&#39; access to the LGFAES  10 , and therefore the bait, via the base  14 . 
     There is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 the base  14  of the LGFAES  10 . In FIG. 3, the base  14  is shown from a plan perspective, and includes an outer ring  18 , a middle ring  20 , and a center ring  22 . In FIG. 4, the base  14  is shown as a cross-sectional side view. The outer ring  18  includes a ramp  24 ; the middle ring  20  includes an outer periphery  26  and an inner periphery  28 ; and the center ring  22  includes a wall  30 . The wall  30  of the center ring  22  has at least one aperture; e.g., a horizontal slit  32 . The center ring  22  accommodates a gasket  34 . 
     The ramp  24  of the outer ring  18  slopes upward to the middle ring  20 , providing an initial approach for the ants to the bait. Typically, the ramp  24  features a textured, tractional incline to facilitate travel of the ants thereover. The ramp  24  of the outer ring  18  terminates at the outer periphery  26  of the middle ring  20 . 
     The middle ring  20  slopes in a concave arc from its outer periphery  26  to its inner periphery  28 . The inner periphery  28  forms an integral boundary between the wall  30  of the center ring  22  and the middle ring  20 . The middle ring  20  and the wall  30  of the center ring  22  together define a concavity. The concavity serves as a holding area for the liquid bait, and an access point to the liquid bait for the ants. 
     The center ring  22  essentially forms a hollow stem shape. The wall  30  of the center ring  22  extends in an upward direction from the base  14 , and forms a closed loop. The wall  30  of the center ring  22  typically forms two small, opposing horizontal slits  32  therethrough. The horizontal slits  32  function as a liquid tension release stress ducts to aid in controlling the gravity-caused release of the liquid bait into the middle ring  20  as the ants consume the liquid bait. A gasket  34  or similar sealing component is located on an upper surface of the base  14  and within the center ring  22 . 
     The base  14  shown in FIGS. 3-5 does not include means for accommodating the stake  16 . 
     Turning now to FIG. 5, there is shown a side view in partial cross section of the LGFAES  10  having a reservoir  36  that includes a connector  38  (shown in phantom lines) and a stem  40  having threading  42  (shown in phantom lines). The connector  38  forms an integral part between the reservoir  36  and the stem  40 . Alternatively, the connector  38  exists separately from the reservoir  36  and the stem  40 , and mechanically communicates with both the reservoir  36  and the stem  40  to form a conduit for the liquid bait from the reservoir  36  to the base  14 . 
     The shield  12  flares from the reservoir  36  as an integral part thereof, or an attachment thereto, according to predetermined design. The shield  12  typically extends to a length beyond the lower end of the reservoir  36  as well as the outer ring  18 , less a narrow portion of an outside periphery. The full coverage of the shield  12  protects the liquid bait from sun, rain and other environmental conditions known to cause evaporation, deterioration, dilution, or other negative results. It is contemplated that the shield may be formed from various materials or combinations of materials, so long as the shield functions in a manner as described herein. 
     The base  14  contains, in addition to the aforementioned components, threading  42  on an inner surface of the wall  30 . The threading  42  on the wall  30  weds with the threading  42  on the stem  40 . 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a form of the LGFAES  10  which includes a recess  60  in the base  14  to receive the stake  16 . Also, a locking screw  62  is provided to lock the shield  12  to the base  14 . 
     FIG. 2 illustrates another preferred embodiment of a LGFAES  110  which includes a shield  112 , a base  114  and a stake  116 . Except for the shape of the shield  112 , the LGFAES  110  is substantially the same as the LGFAES  10  and is intended to be used in the same manner as the LGFAES  10 . 
     It is contemplated that the reservoir  36  receives and stores a quantity of liquid bait; typically enough to supply bait to the ants without replenishment for a period of several weeks. The reservoir  36  receives the bait via the stem  40 . It is contemplated that various formulations of liquid bait may be used in conjunction with the LGFAES  10  to eliminate ants. For example, boric acid used in varying strengths and formulations effectively eliminates many species of the insect family, including ants and roaches. In particular, a formula of up to two percent boric acid and the balance as inert ingredients typically produces satisfactory insecticide and pesticide related results. 
     Once the reservoir  36  receives the liquid bait, the stem  40  screws into, or otherwise removably attaches to, the wall  30  of the center ring  22 , via their respective threadings  42 . In a closed position, the stem  40  of the LGFAES  10  covers the horizontal slits  32  and contacts the gasket  34 , exerting a force thereon to create a seal. The seal prevents the flow of liquid bait from the reservoir  36 . In the closed position, the shield  12  contacts or closely approximates the outer ring  18  of the base  14  to prevent entry to the middle ring  20  and to the liquid bait. 
     When LGFAES  10  is in the open (activated) position, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, and as can best be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the stem  40  is sufficiently unscrewed from the center ring  22  such that no contact remains with the gasket  34 . The stem  40  no longer covers the horizontal slits  32 , thus permitting the liquid bait to flow in a controlled manner from the reservoir  36 , through the stem  40 , through the horizontal slits  32  in the center ring  22 , and into the middle ring  20 . For activation of the LGFAES  10 , the threading  42  of the stem  40  may be unscrewed from the threading  42  of the center ring  22 , which relocates the shield  12  from its resting place on the outer ring  18  of the base  14 , and displaces the shield  12  in an upward direction from the ground to provide an opening between the periphery of the base  14  and the shield  12 . This opening permits access by the ants to the liquid bait via the base  14 , while restricting access to the same by anyone or anything significantly larger than an insect. For example, in the open position, the shield  12  locates approximately 0.25 inch above the base  14 , permitting a full three hundred and sixty degree access to the outer ring  18 , the middle ring  20 , and the liquid bait. 
     With reference to FIG. 6, there is shown an alternate embodiment  210  of a liquid gravity feed ant elimination system, the alternate embodiment including a reservoir  36  having a stem  40 , and a base  14  having an outer ring  18 , a middle ring  20 , and a center ring  22 . It is contemplated that the alternate embodiment functions in a substantially similar manner to the preferred embodiment described above. 
     While the foregoing examples describe certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is apparent that one skilled in the art could adopt other forms. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.