Patent Publication Number: US-2020281180-A1

Title: Insecticide dispensing device and method

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/815,677 filed on Mar. 8, 2019 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/875,654 filed on Jul. 18, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     This application incorporates U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/646,954 filed on Jul. 11, 2017, incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The present invention relates to insect eradication, and more particularly to a device and method for the dispensing insecticide. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Specific examples have been chosen for purposes of illustration and description, and are shown in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates one example of an insecticide distribution device of the present technology. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-section of the insecticide distribution device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a second example of an insecticide distribution device of the present technology. 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart of a method of distributing insecticide of the present technology. 
         FIGS. 5A-5C  illustrate a third example of an insecticide distribution device of the present technology. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Insecticide dispensing devices and methods of the present technology provide for the prolonged release of insecticide for the eradication of insect populations. 
     One example of an insecticide dispensing device  100  of the present technology is shown in  FIGS. 1-2 .  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the device, while  FIG. 2  shown a cross-section thereof. The insecticide dispensing device  100  may be made of any suitable material, such as PVC or plastic. As can be seen, the insecticide dispensing device  100  includes a housing  102 . The housing  102  has an outer surface  104  and an inner surface  106  that defines an internal cavity  108 . The internal cavity may have any suitable volume, including a volume of at least about 450 milliliters. The device  100  also includes at least one aperture  110  in the housing that extends from the outer surface  104  to the inner surface  106  and forms a pathway from the internal cavity  108  out of the housing  102 . As shown in  FIG. 1-2 , the device  100  has a plurality of apertures  110  in the housing  102  that each extend from the outer surface  104  to the inner surface  106  and form a pathway from the internal cavity  108  out of the housing  102 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the insecticide dispensing device  100  also includes an attractive toxic sugar bait  122 . The attractive toxic sugar bait includes an insecticide agent, which may be selected to be effective to kill members of the target insect population. The attractive toxic sugar bait may have any suitable formulation to be effective. In at least some examples, the attractive toxic sugar bait may be in the form of a solid. In such examples, a user may activate the attractive toxic sugar bait by adding water thereto, to form a solution. The attractive toxic sugar bait solution may undergo fermentation when activated by the water. The insecticide agent may be present in an amount from about 0.05% by weight to about 5% by weight of the attractive toxic sugar bait solution. The insecticide agent may include orthoboric acid in an amount from about 0.05% by weight to about 5% by weight of the attractive toxic sugar bait solution. As the attractive toxic sugar bait may undergoes fermentation, it may release a gaseous compound, such as carbon dioxide. In such examples, the attractive toxic sugar bait may include yeast and sugar. It may be necessary for the water added by the user to have a sufficiently warm temperature, such as at least 70° F., to activate the fermentation process. The attractive toxic sugar bait may further include additional ingredients, such as a lipid, which may promote the fermentation reaction and/or the attraction of the target insect to the bait. 
     One example formulation for an attractive toxic sugar bait of the present technology is: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 209.4 
                 g 
                 Sucrose 
               
               
                 17.4 
                 g 
                 Orthoboric Acid, 
               
               
                 2.47441 
                 g 
                 Brewer&#39;s Yeast, 
               
               
                 .1 
                 mg 
                 Thiamin, 
               
               
                 .12 
                 mg 
                 Riboflavin, 
               
               
                 .8 
                 mg 
                 Niacin, 
               
               
                 .07 
                 mg 
                 Vitamin B6, 
               
               
                 4.9 
                 mcg 
                 Folate, 
               
               
                 .02 
                 mcg 
                 Vitamin B12, 
               
               
                 .05 
                 mg 
                 Pantothenic Acid, 
               
               
                 1.3 
                 g 
                 Protein, 
               
               
                 2.6 
                 g 
                 Magnesium, 
               
               
                 .09 
                 mg 
                 Iron, 
               
               
                 52 
                 mg 
                 Potassium, 
               
               
                 5.2 
                 mg 
                 Sodium, 
               
               
                 .12 
                 mg 
                 Zinc, 
               
               
                 .08 
                 mg 
                 Copper, 
               
               
                 5.2 
                 mcg 
                 Selenium, 
               
               
                 1.1 
                 g 
                 Carbohydrates, 
               
               
                 .01 
                 g 
                 Biotin, 
               
               
                 .005 
                 g 
                 Lipids 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Referring back to  FIGS. 1-2 , the housing has a vertical length  112  having a top end  114  and a bottom end  116 . As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the device  100  has an upper portion  118  that includes the top end  114  of the length  112 , and a lower portion  120  that includes a bottom end  116  of the length. The attractive toxic sugar bait  122  may be contained in the internal cavity  108 , within the lower portion  120  of the housing  102 . In at least some examples, each of the apertures is located in the upper portion  118  of the housing  102 . However, in other examples, at least one aperture may be located in the lower portion  120  of the housing, although the at least one aperture should be located so that it does not result in leakage of the attractive toxic sugar bait from the device. 
     Each aperture  110  is be located in such a manner as to allow a gaseous compound, such as carbon dioxide produced by the attractive toxic sugar bait once it is activated, to exit the internal cavity  108 . Each aperture  110  is also located and sized to allow a target insect to access (and consume) the attractive toxic sugared bait. In some examples, the at least one aperture  110  is sized to allow the target insect to enter into the internal cavity to access the attractive toxic sugar bait. While the insecticide dispensing devices of the present technology may be useful to dispense insecticide to various types of insects, the target insect for at least some examples may be a mosquito. In such examples, the at least one aperture  110  may have a diameter of up to about ¼ inches, or from about 1/16 inches to about 3/16 inches. The apertures may all be the same size, or have different sizes. However, the size of each aperture should be selected to allow the mosquito to feed from the attractive toxic sugar bait in the device, while preventing other insects, such as honeybees, and animals, such as hummingbirds, to access and feed from the attractive toxic sugar bait. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a second example of an insecticide dispensing devices of the present technology. The insecticide dispensing device  200  may be made of any suitable material, including plastic, and may take the form of a plastic bag. As can be seen, the insecticide dispensing device  200  includes a housing  202 . The housing  202  has an outer surface  204  and an inner surface  206  that defines an internal cavity  208 . The internal cavity  208  may have any suitable volume, including a volume of at least about 450 milliliters. The device  200  also includes at least one aperture  210  in the housing  202  that extends from the outer surface  204  to the inner surface  206  and forms a pathway from the internal cavity  208  out of the housing  202 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the device  200  has a plurality of apertures  210  in the housing  202  that each extend from the outer surface  204  to the inner surface  206  and form a pathway from the internal cavity  208  out of the housing  202 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the insecticide dispensing device  200  also includes an attractive toxic sugar bait  122 . 
     Additionally, the housing  202  has a vertical length  212  having a top end  214  and a bottom end  216 . As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the device  200  has an upper portion  218  that includes the top end  214  of the length  212 , and a lower portion  220  that includes a bottom end  216  of the length. The attractive toxic sugar bait  222  may be contained in the internal cavity  208 , within the lower portion  220  of the housing  202 . In at least some examples, each of the apertures is located in the upper portion  218  of the housing  202 . However, in other examples, at least one aperture  210  may be located in the lower portion  220  of the housing, although the at least one aperture  210  should be located so that it does not result in leakage of the attractive toxic sugar bait from the device. 
     Each aperture  210  is located in such a manner as to allow a gaseous compound, such as carbon dioxide produced by the attractive toxic sugar bait once it is activated, to exit the internal cavity  208 . Each aperture  210  is also located and sized to allow a target insect to access (and consume) the attractive toxic sugared bait. In some examples, the at least one aperture  210  is sized to allow the target insect to enter into the internal cavity to access the attractive toxic sugar bait. As discussed above with respect to device  100 , the target insect for device  200  may be a mosquito. In such examples, the at least one aperture  210  may have a diameter of up to about ¼ inches, or from about 1/16 inches to about 3/16 inches. The apertures may all be the same size, or have different sizes. However, the size of each aperture should be selected to allow the mosquito to feed from the attractive toxic sugar bait in the device, while preventing other insects, such as honeybees, and animals, such as hummingbirds, to access and feed from the attractive toxic sugar bait. 
     Insecticide dispensing devices of the present technology may include at least one mounting fixture  124 ,  224  attached to the housing  102 ,  202  and configured to allow the device to be mounted vertically or substantially vertically. Examples of suitable mounting fixtures include eyelet hook  124  ( FIG. 1 ), and hook  224  ( FIG. 3 ). Other suitable mounting fixtures include other types of hooks, support straps, hook and loop fasteners, and the like. 
     Insecticide dispensing devices of the present technology may include at least one resealable sealing closure, which can be opened to allow access to the internal cavity and closed to seal or reseal the device  100 ,  200 . Examples of resealable sealing closures include cap  126  ( FIG. 1 ) and resealable adhesive strip  266  ( FIG. 3 ). Cap  126  may attach to the body  128  of the housing  102  by snap fit, friction fit, threaded closure, or any other suitable resealable closing mechanism. Other examples of suitable resealable sealing closures include ties, zipper closures, and the like. In some examples, such as a modified version of device  100 , the device may include a plurality of resealable sealing closures, such as having a resealable sealing closure at each end. 
       FIG. 4  is a flow chart describing an example of a method  300  of dispensing insecticide of the present technology. Method  300  starts at step  302 , with providing an insecticide dispensing device. The insecticide dispensing device may be an insecticide dispensing device of the present technology, as described above with respect to devices  100  and  200 . Accordingly, the insecticide dispensing device may include a housing that has an outer surface and an inner surface that defines an internal cavity. The insecticide dispensing device may also include at least one aperture in the housing that extends from the outer surface to the inner surface and forms a pathway from the internal cavity out of the housing, the at least one aperture being located to allow a gaseous compound to exit the internal cavity and sized to allow entry of a target insect into the internal cavity. The insecticide dispensing device may further include an attractive toxic sugar bait including an insecticide agent, the attractive toxic sugar bait being contained within a portion of the internal cavity. Step  304  of the method  300  includes activating the attractive toxic sugar bait by adding a quantity of water to the insecticide dispensing device. In some examples, the step  304  of activating further includes step  306 , which is initiating a fermentation reaction. The fermentation reaction causes the attractive toxic sugar bait to release a gaseous compound, such as carbon dioxide. In some examples, the water must be a sufficiently warm temperature, such as at least about 70° F., to activate the bait and initiate the fermentation reaction. The method  300  further includes a step  308  of placing the insecticide dispensing device in an area where insects are present. It is recommended that the insecticide dispensing device be placed in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation, to avoid leakage of the attractive toxic sugar bait from the device. The placing can include hanging the device, or mounting it on a tree, wall, or other surface. The method  300  can also include a step  310  of leaving the insecticide dispensing device in place for a desired time period, such as up to about 90 days. 
       FIGS. 5A-5C  illustrate a third example of an insecticide distribution device  100  of the present technology. This example may include at least one resealable sealing closure including cap  126  configured to attach to the body  128  of the housing  102  by snap fit, friction fit, threaded closure, or any other suitable resealable closing mechanism  134 . In some embodiments, body  128  may have no apertures  110 , as shown in  FIG. 5C . However, cap  126  of  FIGS. 5A-5C  may be fitted to bodies  128  having apertures  110 , such as that shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     Cap  126  of  FIGS. 5A-5C  may include one or more apertures  110 . Apertures  110  may be configured similarly to those in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-2 . For example, each aperture  110  may be located in such a manner as to allow a gaseous compound, such as carbon dioxide produced by the attractive toxic sugar bait once it is activated, to exit the internal cavity  108 . Each aperture  110  is may be located and sized to allow a target insect (e.g., a mosquito) to access (and consume) the attractive toxic sugared bait. In some examples, the at least one aperture  110  may be sized to allow the target insect to enter into the internal cavity to access the attractive toxic sugar bait. In examples wherein the target insect is a mosquito, the at least one aperture  110  may have a diameter of up to about ¼ inches, or from about 1/16 inches to about 3/16 inches. The apertures may all be the same size, or have different sizes. However, the size of each aperture may be selected to allow the mosquito to feed from the attractive toxic sugar bait in the device, while preventing other insects, such as honeybees, and animals, such as hummingbirds, to access and feed from the attractive toxic sugar bait. 
     Cap  126  of  FIGS. 5A-5C  may include a sloped top surface  130  with at least one drain hole  132  disposed therein. For example, sloped top surface  130  may slope towards each drain hole  132  so that each drain hole  132  is at a lower level than surrounding sloped top surface  130 . Accordingly, moisture and/or other matter (e.g., atmospheric yeast and/or particulates in some cases) may flow towards drain holes  132  and may enter the internal cavity  108  through drain holes  132 . For example, rain may enter drain holes  132  to moisten the attractive toxic sugar bait and thereby encourage fermentation. Cap  126  of  FIGS. 5A-5C  is illustrated with two drain holes  132  and a sloped top surface  130  that slopes downward in two directions from a central high point to the two drain holes  132  disposed at peripheries of the sloped top surface  130 , but any arrangement of drain holes  132  and any shape of sloped top surface  130  that encourages water to flow into drain holes  132  may be used. 
     Cap  126  of  FIGS. 5A-5C  may include at least one mounting fixture  124 , such as eyelet hook  124 . Other suitable mounting fixtures may include other types of hooks, support straps, hook and loop fasteners, and the like. When insecticide distribution device  100  of  FIGS. 5A-5C  is mounted by mounting fixture  124 , cap  126  may be positioned vertically above body  128 , allowing moisture and/or other matter (e.g., atmospheric yeast and/or particulates) that enters apertures  110  to proceed downward into internal cavity  108  (e.g., to moisten the attractive toxic sugar bait). 
     By encouraging water to enter internal cavity  108  through drain holes  132  and/or apertures  110 , cap  126  of  FIGS. 5A-5C  may prolong a length for which the attractive toxic sugar bait may be effective for eradicating target insects. For example, as described above, a user may activate the attractive toxic sugar bait by adding water into internal cavity  108 . Over time, the initially-added water may evaporate, which may cause fermentation to cease. However, if water can naturally enter internal cavity  108  (e.g., as rain or dew) while insecticide distribution device  100  is deployed in an outdoor environment, the attractive toxic sugar bait may be remoistened, and fermentation may continue. In some embodiments, for example, the attractive toxic sugar bait may remain effective for 90 days while water remains inside internal cavity  108 . 
     In some embodiments, drain holes  132  may be sufficiently large to admit rainwater or the like so that the attractive sugar bate will remain effective for an extended period of time. Drain holes  132  may not be so large as to admit other insects, such as honeybees, and animals, such as hummingbirds, and feed from the attractive toxic sugar bait, or may not be so large as to allow rainwater to flood and overflow body  128 . 
     From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that although specific examples have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to particularly point out and distinctly claim the claimed subject matter.