Abstract:
A station for holding an insect control product includes a body portion having sidewalls and a rear wall defining a receptacle having an opening. A door portion is rotatably coupled to the body portion for covering the opening defined by the body portion in a closed configuration of the station. A tamper resistant latching mechanism is disposed within the receptacle in the closed configuration of the station, and is accessible by a key through an aperture through the door portion.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/791,294, filed Apr. 11, 2006. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates in general to pest control techniques, and in particular to a tamper-resistance fly control station and methods for using the same. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0003]    The problem of controlling pests, particularly insects such as flies and mosquitoes, is very well known and has been extensively studied. Hence, numerous pest control techniques have been developed, some of which have been successful, and others which have not been successful. Even today, the search for successful new and improved pest control techniques continues. 
         [0004]    Existing fly control techniques typically rely on fly lights and glue products disposed in areas where insects congregate. However, these techniques are not completely effective. Furthermore, while simply disposing fly bait around areas frequented by humans or animals is one option, given the usual toxicity of the given insect control product, this is not the best option. In sum, new pest control techniques are needed, which are not only more effective, but also which can safely be used around humans and animals. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0005]    The principles of the present invention are embodied in tamper-resistant fly control stations and methods for using the same. According to one exemplary embodiment, a control station is disclosed for holding insect bait that includes a body portion having sidewalls and a rear wall defining a receptacle having an opening. A door portion is rotatably coupled to the body portion for covering the opening defined by the body portion in a closed configuration of the station. A tamper resistant latching mechanism is disposed within the receptacle in the closed configuration of the station, and is accessible by a key through an aperture through the door portion. 
         [0006]    Embodiments of the present invention advantageously allow for the use of potentially toxic pest baits with minimized risk of unauthorized or undesirable contact by humans and animals. Consequently, pest control programs may be established in locations frequented by humans and animals, where previously control was not possible or not allowed due to the toxicity of the baits. (Notwithstanding, application of the principles of the present invention are still subject to the use restrictions and warnings set forth by the manufacturer on the labels accompany the given insect bait or insecticide). 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective diagram of a representative tamper-resistant fly station, in the closed configuration, according to the principles of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective diagram of the representative tamper-resistant fly station of  FIG. 1 , in the open (unlocked) configuration; 
           [0010]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are small cross-sectional diagrams illustrating the tamper-resistant latching/locking mechanism of the representative tamper-resistant fly station in latched and unlatched configurations, respectively; and 
           [0011]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are more detailed diagrams of the tamper-resistant latching/locking mechanism, in the latched and unlatched configuration, respectively, as viewed through the key apertures of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The principles of the present invention and their advantages are best understood by referring to the illustrated embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1-4  of the drawings, in which like numbers designate like parts. 
         [0013]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show a tamper-resistant fly station  10  embodying the principles of the present invention. Tamper-resistant fly station  10  includes a main body portion  11  adapted to receive a tray of insect bait and a door portion  12 . According to the principles of the present invention, door portion  12  pivots around a hinge  13  to provide a cover over the aperture of main body portion  11  when fly station  10  is in use. In particular, a pair of tamper resistant latches  14   a  and  14   b  on main body portion  11  snap onto the sidewalls of corresponding receptacles  15   a  and  15   b  on door portion  12 . In one preferred embodiment of the present inventive principles, the tamper resistant latch/locking mechanism utilizes a flat key  16  to prevent unintended or unauthorized entry into tamper-resistant fly station  100 . As discussed further below, flat key  16  includes a pair of extensions or prongs  17   a  and  17   b  that access the tamper resistant latch/locking mechanism through key apertures  18   a  and  18   b  through door portion  12 . 
         [0014]    The sides  19  of main body portion  11  are preferably sloped to allow for water, snow, or particulate matter to drain off. The backwall of main body portion  11  also includes a series of small holes or vents (not shown), which allow air flow into the interior of fly station  10 , as well as a series of apertures (not shown), which allow fly station  10  to be mounted on a wall, post, or similar surface with screws, zip ties, or similar attachment apparatus. The bottom inner surface of  20  of main body portion  11  provides an area for receiving bait glue boards, insecticides, or other pest control products. These pest control products may be, depending on the application, in granular, powdered, liquid, or solid form. 
         [0015]    Door portion  12  of tamper-resistant fly station  10  includes a set of louvered vents  21 , which allow insects to gain entry into the interior of fly station  10 , but keep out children&#39;s hands and pets. The inner surface of door portion  12  also includes a name plate area  22 . 
         [0016]    Main body portion  11  includes an internal set of racks or slots  23  for receiving a corresponding bait tray  24 . Bait trays  24  hold insect bait or poison, such as fly or mosquito bait. Advantageously, bait trays  24  are easy to clean or replace. 
         [0017]    Tamper-resistant fly station  10  can be made of any one of a number of materials, including plastics, metals, and composites. In the preferred embodiment, tamper-resistant fly station  10  is made out of clear plastic that has been embedded with metallic flake. Advantageously, the embedded metallic flake reflects light, particularly UV light, which creates contrast that helps to attract insects. 
         [0018]    Tamper-resistant fly station  10  is particularly useful for fly control programs, such as that described below. However, tamper-resistant fly station  10  can also be used to bait any one of a number of other insects and pests. Advantageously, tamper-resistant fly station  10  prevents water from reaching the poison, keeps wind from transmitting the bait, and advantageously keeps children and pets away from the poison. 
         [0019]      FIG. 3A  is a partial side view illustrating the tamper resistant latch/locking mechanism in the locked configuration, according to the principles of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 3A , latch  14   a  has engaged receptacle  15   a  when door portion  12  has been pushed into engagement with main body portion  11  of fly station  10 . In particular, latch  14   a  is engaged in a downward direction to capture the upward-projecting sidewall of receptacle  15   a,  as further viewed through aperture  18   a  in  FIG. 4A . At the same time, latch  14   b  is engaged in an upward direction with downward-projecting sidewall of receptacle  15   b,  as seen through aperture  18   b  in  FIG. 4A . Edge sidewall  25  of door portion  12  fits snuggly within receptacle  26  around the perimeter of main body portion  11  provide protection against the incursion of water, dirt, or the like, as well as protect against unwanted entry of humans or animals. 
         [0020]      FIGS. 3B and 4B  illustrate the unlocking of the tamper resistant latch  1  locking mechanism according to the principles in the present invention. Specifically, prongs  17   a  and  17   b  have been inserted into apertures  18   a  and  18   b,  and rotated clockwise, as shown in  FIG. 4B . Consequently, as shown in  FIG. 3B , prong  17   a  of key  16  forces latch  14   a  upwards, such that it disengages from upward-projecting sidewall of receptacle  15   a.  At the same time, prong  17   b  of key  16  forces latch  14   b  downward, as shown in  FIG. 4B , such that latch  14   b  similarly disengages from the downward-projecting sidewall of receptacle  15   b.  With the tamper resistant latch/locking mechanism so disengaged, door portion  12  can be manually pulled away from main body portion  11  to open fly station  10 . 
         [0021]    Advantageously, the tamper resistant latch/locking mechanism ensures that tamper-resistant fly station  10  can be used safely and efficiently, even in areas where children and pets may be found. 
         [0022]    Tamper resistant fly station  10  can advantageously be placed around trash and garbage areas near single family homes and multi-family housing facilities, as well as areas where pets are kept (e.g. dog kennels, dog houses, and dog runs). Furthermore, embodiments of fly station  100  may be advantageously utilized around the dumpster and garbage areas surrounding commercial facilities including restaurants, hospitals, hotels, or retail facilities. Fly station  10  may also be used in agricultural facilities including horse barns, chicken facilities, feed lots, slaughter houses, and the like. In sum, Fly Station  10  can be used anywhere where humans, good and services may be harmed, damaged, contaminated or annoyed by flies and other flying insects. 
         [0023]    According to the principles of the present invention, if a large facility requires insect control, a line of methodically placed fly stations  10  would be disposed around the perimeter of the facility in rocks, trees, bushes, cacti, and similar locations. If a fence line exists, a line of fly stations  10  may be directly fastened to the fence. Similarly, fly station  10  can be attached to walls close to doors, dumpsters, windows and other entry points for insects. Finally, if State and Federal laws allow inside fly control or the use of properly protected pest control chemicals, fly station  10  may even be used inside of a home or commercial facility. 
         [0024]    Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, these descriptions are not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed might be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
         [0025]    It is therefore contemplated that the claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments that fall within the true scope of the invention.