Abstract:
A fumigation apparatus for decontamination or disinfection of a building having a fumigation pollution source, a fog generator, a hose for conveying fog to a building to be fumigated and a nozzle on the outer end of said hose that includes a body portion and a radially extending flange that has at least one slot so that when said apparatus is pumping fog into said building air is drawn through the slots to improve the flow of fog into the building.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates in general to a fumigation apparatus for the decontamination, disinfection or delousing of buildings and more specifically involves an apparatus that substantially reduces the danger involved in providing such fumigation. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Buildings often become contaminated with infestations of various types of undesirable populations such as insects, bugs and germs that create a high risk factor of disease or discomfort for inhabitants of the buildings. This is particularly true in the agricultural industry in which buildings are utilized for housing highly dense populations of animals and birds such as cattle, pigs, turkeys or chickens. 
     The most common practice in the agricultural industry today for the decontamination of buildings involves the spraying of toxic chemicals by workers that use sprayers inside the buildings. Although the workers typically wear safety equipment to protect them from the toxic chemicals that are sprayed, it is highly undesirable to expose workers to the risk of somehow being contaminated by the chemicals. Although this current procedure presents a risk to workers, because it is highly essential that the entire interior of the buildings must be reached by the fumigating material, there is currently no satisfactory solution for avoiding such risk. 
     The present invention is designed to provide a fumigation apparatus for the decontamination or disinfection of buildings in a highly efficient manner that eliminates the need for workers to be inside the buildings during the fumigation process. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a fumigation apparatus for decontamination or disinfection of buildings that comprises a source of fumigation solution, a fog generator that provides an output flow of a fog of said solution, a hose for conveying fog to a building to be fumigated and a nozzle on the outer end of the hose through which said fog is pumped into said building through an inlet port in the sidewall of the building, which port has a nozzle receiving receptacle. 
     The nozzle has a body portion that includes a central bore axially aligned in said body portion through which said fog is pumped into the building. A flange extends outwardly from the body portion and is coaxially aligned with the bore, said flange including at least one slot so that when the apparatus is pumping fog into the building, air is drawn through said at least one slot as a result of a venturi effect to improve the flow of fog into the building. 
     The nozzle further includes a pair of oppositely positioned extension arms extending outwardly from the body, each of said arms having a pair of handles aligned parallel with said bore on one side of said arms and a pair of hook shaped engagement members on the other side that are positioned to engage securement pins located on the nozzle receiving receptacle. 
     The foregoing and other advantages of the present invention will appear from the following description. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which there is shown by illustration and not of limitation a specific form in which the invention may be embodied. Such embodiment does not represent the full scope of the invention, but rather the invention may be employed in a variety of other embodiments and reference is made to the claims herein for interpreting the breadth of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective diagrammatic view showing the apparatus of the present invention in association with a building to be fumigated; 
         FIG. 2  shows the side of the building seen in  FIG. 1  and showing an inlet port in the building sidewall that includes a receptacle that forms a part of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of the receptacle shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view in elevation of a hose and a hose on which a nozzle is attached to the outer end, which hose and nozzle form part of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the hose and nozzle of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view in elevation similar to that of  FIG. 4 , but showing the hose and nozzle in section; and 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing the hose and nozzle of  FIG. 5  in engagement with the receptacle of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings and with reference first to  FIG. 1 , a diagrammatic view is shown of a typical animal confinement building for housing highly dense populations of animals and birds such as cattle, pigs, turkeys or chickens. It is critical in preventing or containing the spread of disease to the livestock contained in the building  10  that decontamination or disinfection of the interior of such building be performed whenever there is a change over from one generation of livestock to the next or if there is an outbreak of disease or sickness in the livestock inhabiting the building  10 . 
     The present invention provides an improved fumigation apparatus  8  for performing the decontamination or disinfection of the building  10  and does so in a manner that provides highly efficient results. More importantly, the present invention provides such results without exposing workers who are conducting the building fumigation to the risk of being exposed to highly toxic chemicals during the fumigation operation. As indicated in  FIG. 1 , the fumigation apparatus  8  of the present invention is designed to provide fumigation to the building  10  from the outside. This is accomplished via the use of a fog generator  12  that supplies a fog of fumigation solution to the building  10  through the use of a hose  14  and a nozzle  16  that is inserted into an inlet port  18  approximately six inches in diameter preferably in a sidewall  20  of the building  10 . Depending on the size of the building  10 , in addition to using the inlet  18 , it may also be advisable to supply the fumigation fog from the generator  12  to inlets  26  and  28  spaced along the building sidewall  20 . 
     In view of the fact that the fumigation apparatus  8  operates from outside the building  20 , it is critical for optimum efficiency that the fog generator  12  produces a fumigation fog that has a high drift capacity so that it can saturate the entire interior of the building  10  with a fumigation solution. To produce such a fumigation fog, it is preferable for the generator  12  to be an ultra-low-volume (ULV) cold fog unit that generates fog droplets by using a high volume of air at low pressure to enable droplets of a precise size to be generated. ULV generators can dispense formulations in a more concentrated form since less diluent is required. Also, the ability to be able to calibrate the generator  12  to produce droplets of an optimum size for the type of chemical being used makes ULV generation the method of choice whenever possible. Also, preferably the generator should have a blower with a rating of from 150 to 400 cfm to be able to produce a smaller fog droplet size. It has been found that one type of generator particularly adapted for producing the desired form of fumigation fog are foggers manufactured by Curtis Dyna-Fog, Ltd. 
     Preferably, the fumigation fog should be comprised of droplets ranging in size from 5 to 50 microns to provide for maximum drift of the fog and to comply with labels. Therefore, the generator  12  should be set at a blower speed to produce such droplets. Droplet size is a product of energy and, therefore, air pressure is utilized to deliver energy to the fluid. Acceptable ULV droplets are preferably produced under high volume low pressure conditions which are highly advantageous in delivering the fumigation fog throughout the building  10 . This is why the building  10  needs no more than 3 or possibly 4 inlet ports to insure that the entire building is acceptably fumigated. This is also the reason for utilizing the generator  12  with a high capacity as that described because a larger machine creates a much bigger push of fog into the building  10  making the fumigation process more efficient by increasing the drift of the fog. Although low volume high pressure conditions may be employed, building penetration by the fog would likely not be complete. 
     A wide variety of disinfectants or pesticides can be utilized with the present invention depending upon the results desired. Preferably, the pesticide can be a natural pyrethrum or synthetic pyrethroid such as permethrin, deltamethrin, bifenthrin, fluvalinate, fenvalerate, esfenvalerate, lambda cyhalothrin, tetramethrin, tralomethrin, cyfluthrin, resemethrin, sumithrin, imiprothrin, prallethrin (ETOC®), allethrin, bioallethrin, esbiothrin, s-bioallethrin (ESBIOL®), d-allethrin; cypermethrin; isomeric forms thereof such as zeta cypermethrin and tau fluvalinate; channel blocking insecticide such as a phenyl pyrazole (fipronil); acetylcholinesterase inhibitor such as a carbamate (carbaryl and bendiocarb); oxadiazines such as indoxacarb; organophosphate such as a chlorpyriphos (DURSBAN®) and acephate (ORTHENE®); neonicotinoid insecticide such as dinotefuran (SHURIKEN®); thiamethoxam; imidacloprid; acetamiprid; thiacloprid; clothianidin; nitenpyran; insect growth regulator such as benzoylphenyl urea (such as diflubenzuron (DIMILIN®), teflubenzuron, flufenoxuron, bistrifluoron, hexaflumuron; juvenile hormone mimic such as pyriproxifen (SUMILARV®), methoprene and fenoxycarb; fermentation insecticide such as abamectin, spiromesifen, spinosad and  Bacillus thuringiensis ; plant oil insecticide such as cinnamon, rosemary, wintergreen, citrus and clove oils; acaracide; miticide; fungicide; herbicide and combinations thereof. Disinfectants or pesticides that exhibit advantageous results with the apparatus  8  and are currently in the marketplace are formaldehyde, oxine, Synergize, Tek-trol, Bio-Phene, Virkons, Virocid and 904, n-Alkyl (60% C14, 30% C16, 5% C12, 5% C18) Dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (Amount 2.25%) n-Alkyl (68% C12, 32% C14) Dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (Amount 2.25%); 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl dimethyl octadecyl ammonium chloride CAS #27668-52-6; Alkenyl* dimethyl ammonium chloride *(75% C18′, 25% C16′); Alkyl dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium cyclohexyl sulfamate CAS#71808-54-3 CAS#37335-68-5; Alkyl trimethyl ammonium bromides CAS#68424-92-0; Alkyl* dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride *(41% C14, 28% C12, 19% C18, 12% C16 CAS#68391-01-5; Decyl-N-methyl-N-(3-trimethoxysilyl)propyl)-1-decanaminium chloride CAS#68959-20-6; Diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride polymers CAS#26062-79-3; Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride CAS#7173-51-5; Dodecylbenzyl trimethyl ammonium chloride CAS#1330-85-4; N-isononyl-N,N-dimethyl decanaminium chloride CAS#138698-36-9; Octyl decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride CAS#32426-11-2; Oxydiethylene bis(alkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride), alkyl derived from coconut oil fatty acids CAS#68607-28-3; Tetradecyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride CAS#139-08-2; Ortho-benzyl-para-chlorophenol CAS#120-32-1; Ortho-benzyl-para-chlorophenol, sodium salt CAS#3184-65-4; Para-chloro-meta-cresol CAS#59-50-7; Sodium p-chloro-m-cresolate CAS#15733-22-9; Triclosan CAS#3380-34-5. 
     The generator  12  must have the capacity for providing a maximum output of the fog solution of approximately 50 to 90 ounces per minute to provide an acceptable disinfecting fumigation fog. However, for the purpose of supplying an insecticide to the building  10  the fog solution can be applied at approximately 10 to 25 ounces per minute. Of course, the size of the building  10  can appreciably affect the efficacy of the fumigation process. The present invention is designed to handle the decontamination or disinfection of relatively large scale buildings in the range of 15 feet high by 40 feet wide by 300 feet long which amounts to 216 thousand cubic feet of interior volume to cover. For a building of this size, it typically takes one and one-half hours to apply the fumigation fog and will require approximately 18 gallons of fumigant. 
     Due to the use of the ULV foggers as the generator  12 , a fogging solution can be applied much more quickly than by any other method which is important due to the fact that when killing flies in the building  10  while it is full of livestock, the ventilation system must be turned off. Thus, the efficiency of application provided by the apparatus  8  allows for the fog to hang long enough to impinge on the flies before the livestock will suffocate. 
     To increase the efficiency of applying a fumigation fog to the building  10 , as well as increase safety in doing so, the nozzle  16  has been designed to insure a hands free chemical application as it is designed to lock in place in the inlet ports  18 ,  26  or  28 . Additionally, the nozzle  16  is designed to allow airflow from the outside into the building  10  to generate a venturi type affect that increases the carry of the fog into the building. 
     As indicated in  FIG. 2 , the inlets  18 ,  26  and  28  each have a nozzle receiving receptacle  30  that is formed of an outer flange  32  and a sleeve portion  34  that extends inwardly from the flange  32 . To be able to close off the receptacle  30  when not in use, it includes a door  36  that is pivotally connected at  38  to provide easy access into the sleeve portion  34  when desired. Also, the flange  32  of the receptacle  30 , as best shown in  FIG. 3 , has a pair of lugs  40  located on opposite sides of the flange  32  and each including an outwardly extending securement pin  42  for a purpose as will be described below. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6 , the nozzle  16  has a body portion  46  that includes a central bore  48  (see  FIG. 6 ) axially aligned in the body portion  46 . Approximately at the mid-portion of the body portion  46  the nozzle  16  also has a flange  50  extending radially outwardly from the exterior of the body portion  46 . As can be seen best in  FIG. 5 , the flange  50  is not a solid piece, but instead has several slots  52  that allow for air to flow into the building  10  as the fog is being sprayed therein. Forward of the flange  50 , the nozzle  16  has an extension arm assembly  54  that is formed of a mounting center portion  56  that encircles and is secured to the body portion  46  and has forwardly extending arms  58 . 
     The arms  58  are oppositely spaced from one another and each include a handle  60  extending outwardly from one side thereof that is used for securing the nozzle  16  to the receptacle  30 . The arms  58  also include hook members  62  that extend outwardly from the other side of the arms  58  in a direction opposite to that of the handles  58 . Each of the hook members  62  include a slit  68  for engaging the securement pins  42  when the nozzle  16  is connected with the receptacle  30  to secure semi-permanently the nozzle  16  therein to provide the hands free operation afforded by the present invention. 
     As indicated by  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the nozzle body portion  46  has an inner end  72  that extends into the receptacle  30  and an outer end  74  on which the end of the hose  14  is mounted. Thus, to connect the nozzle  16  to the receiving receptacle  30  simply involves sticking the body portion inner end  72  into the sleeve  34  and turning the nozzle in a clockwise fashion to engage the hook members  62  with the securement pins  42 . There upon, initiation of pumping the desired fog into the building  10  can begin. 
     It can, thus, be readily seen that the present invention provides a relatively simple, efficient and safe means for the decontamination, disinfection or delousing of buildings. Although the invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be so limited since changes and modifications can be made therein which are within the full intended scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.