Abstract:
A method for inhibiting pest infestation. The method includes introducing a pest-killing material into an interior compartment of a closed piece of luggage, thereby exterminating pests residing within the interior compartment.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/255,641, filed Oct. 28, 2009, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates to inhibiting pest infestation, and, in particular, to inhibiting the introduction of pests into a dwelling via personal luggage. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Pests, such as bed bugs ( Cimex lectularius ), lice, tics, and fleas, can be transported from a travel destination and unwittingly introduced into home via infested luggage. Eradicating these pests, especially bed bugs, can be extremely difficult, and can result in an on-going battle that can be physically, mentally, and financially taxing. Once limited mainly to third world locations, the bed bug problem has spread such that any country, indeed any hotel, may be a potential source of infestation. The problem has grown to sufficient size that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held a two day national Bed Bug Summit in Washington, D.C. in April of 2009. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In general, this invention relates to inhibiting pest infestation, and, in particular, to inhibiting the introduction of pests into a dwelling via personal luggage. 
         [0005]    One aspect of the invention features a method for inhibiting pest infestation. The method includes introducing a pest-killing material into an interior compartment of a closed piece of luggage, thereby exterminating pests residing within the interior compartment. 
         [0006]    Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, the pest-killing material is a gas. The gas can be an insecticide, such as sulfuryl fluoride or Pyrethrin, a natural insecticide, derived from the Chrysanthemum flower. The gas can also be carbon dioxide. 
         [0008]    The method can include heating or cooling the pest-killing material. Introducing the pest-killing material into the interior compartment of the closed piece of luggage can include introducing the heated or cooled pest-killing material into the interior compartment of the closed piece of luggage. 
         [0009]    In certain embodiments, introducing the pest-killing material into the interior compartment of the closed piece of luggage can include delivering the pest-killing material from a canister into the interior compartment of the closed piece of luggage. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, introducing the pest-killing material into the interior compartment of the closed piece of luggage can include delivering the pest-killing material into the interior compartment of the closed piece of luggage via a hose. 
         [0011]    In certain embodiments, introducing the pest-killing material into the interior compartment of the closed piece of luggage includes delivering the material through an inlet port in the luggage. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, the inlet port can include an elastomeric gasket. 
         [0013]    The method can also include monitoring a temperature within the interior compartment of the closed piece of luggage. 
         [0014]    The method can also include utilizing one or more thermistors disposed within the interior compartment to monitor the temperature within the interior compartment. 
         [0015]    The method can also include calculating a waiting period. The waiting period corresponds to a period of time to wait, to allow the pest-killing material to kill pests residing within the interior compartment, before opening the piece of luggage. For example, bedbugs can be killed in all life stages at 140° F.-150° F. for an hour or 120° F. for 24 hours. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, the waiting period is calculated based on a set of known parameters relating to at least one target pest. 
         [0017]    The method can also include, utilizing a microprocessor to calculate the waiting period. 
         [0018]    The method can also include waiting a predetermined period of time, to allow the pest-killing material to kill pests residing within the interior compartment, before opening the closed piece of luggage. The predetermined period of time can be calculated based on a set of known parameters relating to at least one target pest. 
         [0019]    In certain embodiments, the pests include bed bugs. 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, the interior compartment has a volume of less than 6 cubic feet (e.g., about 2 cubic feet to about 4 cubic feet, e.g., about 3 cubic feet). 
         [0021]    In certain embodiments, the method includes traveling from a first location (e.g., home) to a second location (e.g., travel destination) with the luggage and without the pest-killing material. 
         [0022]    The method can also include storing the pest-killing material at the first location while traveling from the first location to the second location. 
         [0023]    The step of introducing the pest-killing material into the substantially air tight interior compartment of the closed piece of luggage is performed after returning to the first location from the second location. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, the interior compartment is substantially airtight. 
         [0025]    The pest-killing material can be heated air, and introducing the pest killing material can include activating a heating element. For example, in some cases, introducing the pest-killing material includes activating a heating element to heat air residing within the interior compartment of the closed piece of luggage. 
         [0026]    The air can be heated to a temperature of about 120° F. to about 150° F. over a time period of at least one hour. For example, in some cases, the air is heated to a temperature of about 140° F. to about 150° F. over a time period of at least one hour. In some cases, the air is heated to a temperature of about 120° F. over a time period of at least 24 hours. 
         [0027]    Another aspect of the invention provides a system for inhibiting pest infestation. The system includes a personal effects transporting case that is closable to provide a interior compartment for storing personal effects. The system also includes an input port that is arranged to accommodate the introduction of a pest-killing material into the interior compartment. 
         [0028]    Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, the input port is arranged between an outer surface of the personal effects transporting case and the interior compartment. 
         [0030]    In certain embodiments, the inlet port includes an elastomeric gasket. 
         [0031]    In some embodiments, the interior compartment is capable of retaining gas or vapor. 
         [0032]    In certain embodiments, the system can also include a delivery device containing a pest-killing material. The delivery device can include an outlet capable of cooperating with the input port for introducing the pest-killing material into the interior compartment. 
         [0033]    In some embodiments, the pest-killing material is a gas. The gas can be an insecticide, e.g., sulfuryl fluoride, Pyrethrin (a natural insecticide derived from the Chrysanthemum flower), or carbon dioxide. 
         [0034]    In certain embodiments, the system can include a temperature measurement device arranged to measure a temperature within the interior compartment. 
         [0035]    In some embodiments, the system can include a display device configured to display a temperature measured by the temperature measurement device. 
         [0036]    In certain embodiments, the personal effects transporting case includes a microprocessor configured to calculate a waiting period. The waiting period corresponds to a period of time to wait, to allow the pest-killing material to kill pests residing within the interior compartment, before opening the personal effects transporting case. 
         [0037]    In some embodiments, the microprocessor is configured to calculate the waiting period based on a set of known parameters relating to at least one target pest. 
         [0038]    In certain embodiments, the interior compartment has a volume of less than 6 cubic feet (e.g., about 2 cubic feet to about 4 cubic feet, e.g., about 3 cubic feet). 
         [0039]    Embodiments can include one or more of the following advantages. 
         [0040]    In some embodiments, the systems and/or methods can inhibit (e.g., prevent) travelers from infesting their homes by means of insect hitchhikers hidden within luggage. 
         [0041]    In certain embodiments, the systems and/or methods can be used to eradicate pests that may be located in personal luggage and to do so while limiting the risk of accidental infestation during the act of eradication. As a result, travel anxiety associated with the accidental infestation of a home via personal luggage can be reduced. 
         [0042]    In some embodiments, the systems and/or offer prophylactic pest control without requiring a traveler to carry pest-killing materials, which may contain toxins, on a trip. Also, leaving the pest-killing material at a final destination (e.g., the travelers home) avoids the added weight and reduced volume associated with carrying a prophylactic pest control means within luggage during a trip. 
         [0043]    The interior compartment can be substantially air tight. 
         [0044]    According to yet another aspect, a system is provided for inhibiting pest infestation. The system includes a personal effects transporting case that is closable to provide a interior compartment for storing personal effects. The system also includes a heating element. 
         [0045]    Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. 
         [0046]    The heating element can be ribbon wire such as kanthol (FeCrAl), nichrome or cupronickel (CuNi). Thermal coefficient of resistance ceramics (such as barium titanate and lead titanate) can act as its own thermistor. 
         [0047]    In some embodiments, the heating element is integrally manufactured within the person effects transporting case. 
         [0048]    In some cases, the heating element is adapted to reside within the interior compartment and is removable from the personal effects transporting case. 
         [0049]    The system can include one or more thermistors, disposed within the interior compartment, to monitor the temperature within the interior compartment. 
         [0050]    The interior compartment can be substantially air tight. 
         [0051]    In yet another aspect, a method for inhibiting pest infestation includes heating air in an interior compartment of a closed piece of luggage, thereby exterminating pests residing within the interior compartment. 
         [0052]    Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. The air can be heated to a temperature of about 120° F. to about 150° F. over a time period of at least one hour. For example, in some cases, the air is heated to a temperature of about 140° F. to about 150° F. over a time period of at least one hour. In some cases, the air is heated to a temperature of about 120° F. over a time period of at least 24 hours. 
         [0053]    Other aspects, features, and advantages are in the description, drawings, and claims. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0054]      FIG. 1  shows a suitcase with a port for introducing pest-killing material. 
           [0055]      FIG. 2  shows a pressurized gas container inserted into a suitcase. 
           [0056]      FIG. 3  shows a pest-killing material delivery device interlocking with a suitcase. 
           [0057]      FIG. 4  shows a suitcase with two ports for introducing pest-killing material. 
       
    
    
       [0058]    Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0059]      FIG. 1  shows a personal effects transporting case (e.g., luggage), here a suitcase  10  which includes an exterior surface  12  sufficiently non-porous to inhibit (e.g., prevent) pests, such as bed bugs, to adhere to it during the various stage of the pest&#39;s life cycle. External structures  14 , such as hinges, straps, joints, seams and the like, can be designed to provide smooth surfaces and/or gaps sufficiently large and exposed so as not to provide a hiding place for pests. 
         [0060]    A possible hiding place for pests is an interior compartment  20  of the suitcase  10 , which can have a volume of less than six cubic feet (e.g., about 2 cubic fee to about 4 cubic feet, e.g., about 3 cubic feet). To address this, the suitcase  10  includes a gasket  22  disposed around an edge at which two halves of the suitcase  10  contact each other, as well as other incidental openings, such that the suitcase  10  is well-sealed or effectively airtight (i.e., hermetically sealed) when closed. The suitcase  10  is also provided with an inlet port  24  that is designed to accommodate the introduction of a pest-killing material into the interior compartment  20 . A delivery device  30  (such as a canister  31  ( FIG. 2 ) and/or hose  47  ( FIG. 4 )) with an injector outlet  32 , designed to connect to inlet port  24 , can also be provided to facilitate the injection of a pest-killing material, such as an insecticide  34  (e.g., sulfuryl fluoride, Pyrethrin, etc.) or a lethal non-insecticide gas (e.g., carbon dioxide), into the interior compartment  20 . 
         [0061]    In operation: when the user returns from a trip and before opening her suitcase  10  for the first time at home, the user can introduce a pest-killing material into the interior compartment  20  of the suitcase  10  by engaging the inlet port  24  with the injector outlet  32  of the delivery device  30 . The delivery device  30 , which may be a canister containing the pest-killing material (e.g., insecticide  34 ), is actuated to deliver the pest-killing material into the interior compartment  20 . Insecticide  34  can be pressurized to above atmospheric pressure within the delivery device  30 , such that the insecticide  34  is dispersed into interior compartment  20 . Because the interior compartment  20  is effectively airtight, the concentration of insecticide  34  remains sufficiently high to kill the target pests and a majority of the injected insecticide  34  is not released prior to opening the suitcase  10 . After a waiting period sufficient to kill the target pest, suitcase  10  may be opened and allowed to air. By eradicating pests without requiring the user to open the suitcase, the risk of accidental infestation can be greatly reduced, and, as a result, the user can be provided with great peace of mind. 
         [0062]    Suitable pest-killing materials can include sulfuryl fluoride (available from DOW under the tradenames Vicane and Profume). Sulfuryl fluoride is colorless, odorless and leaves little or no residue. Sulfuryl fluoride is lethal to bed bugs ( Cimex lectularius ) in concentrations 3 times higher than that necessary to kill termites. While this high dosage can render sulfuryl fluoride a very expensive bed bug treatment when treating an entire dwelling, only a relatively small (and comparatively inexpensive) amount of the chemical may be needed to protect the same dwelling from bed bugs by treating only the suitcase  10  as a prophylactic. A typical 2,000 square foot home can require a volume of well over 20,000 cubic feet of insecticide to fill a fumigation bag. However, the average suitcase can have a volume of less than 3 cubic feet. Thus, the amount of insecticide used to prevent infestation can be greatly reduced by treating potentially infested luggage before pests are released into a dwelling. Likewise, the environmental burden is relatively inconsequential. Other chemicals may also be used. 
         [0063]      FIG. 2  shows a sectional view of delivery device  30  in the form of a canister  31  with an elongated outlet  32  and containing insecticide  34  or lethal non-insecticide gases  42 . Elongated outlet  32  is inserted into an elastomeric gasket  26  of the inlet port  24 . There are many other known ways to engage a pressurized delivery system with a receptacle. One other such example includes a mechanical lock  38  as in  FIG. 3 , shown to include a failsafe  36  designed to help ensure that the inlet port  24  is engaged with delivery device  30  before insecticide  34  or lethal non-insecticide gases  42  may be dispensed. 
         [0064]      FIG. 4  shows a suitcase  10  in which lethal non-insecticide gases  42 , such as carbon dioxide, may be introduced into an interior compartment  20  through an inlet port  24 . An outlet port  44  is also provided at an opposite end of the suitcase  10  from the inlet port  24 . The outlet port  44  acts as a release valve (e.g., a check valve), allowing the enclosed air (that will have higher concentrations of non-lethal gases  46  (such as oxygen and nitrogen) to be forced out as the lethal non-insecticide gas  42  is introduced. The outlet port  44  can be manually actuated or actuated by internal pressure within the suitcase  10  so that forcing pressurized lethal non-insecticide gas  42  into the inlet port  24  opens outlet port  44 . Suitable release valves are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,527,840, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively or additionally, the outlet port  44  can include a selectively permeable membrane  45  to allow the enclosed air and non-lethal gases to be forced out as the lethal non-insecticide gas  42  is introduced. A hose  47  can be adapted to introduce lethal gases  42  into the inlet port  24 . Lethal gas  42  would be allowed to remain long enough to reliably exterminate the pests of interest within the interior compartment before opening suitcase  10  for the first time after returning from a journey. 
         [0065]    A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, in some embodiments, extreme temperatures may be introduced into suitcase  10  by a flow of heated or cooled air  50 . This thermally modified air  50  may be introduced through the inlet port  24  and outlet port  44  as described above, suitably enlarged to support a higher flow rate. Alternatively or additionally, a heating element  51  can be disposed within the interior compartment  20 . The heating element  51  can be integrally manufactured within suitcase  10  (e.g., such that the suitcase itself is capable of being plugged into a power source) or detachably manufactured. The heating element  51  may be a ribbon wire such as kanthal (FeCrAl), nichrome or cupronickel (CuNi), or a thermal coefficient of resistance ceramics (such as barium titanate and lead titanate) which may act as its own thermistor  52 . Alternately or additionally, a thermistor  52  or other such thermometer may be added for monitoring a temperature within the interior compartment  20 . The thermistor  52  can be located at the center of the downward facing major side of the suitcase  10 , as shown. In some cases, multiple thermistors  52  can be used for monitoring temperature within the interior compartment  20 . If multiple thermistors  52  are used, the one measured to have the slowest response time can be used to determine temperature. In some cases, this measurement is reported to the user or associated display device  54 , external to the suitcase. In some examples, a microprocessor  56  is integrated within the suitcase  10 . The microprocessor  56  can be programmed to report when the combination of time and temperature internal to the suitcase  10  is sufficient to eradicate particular pests of interest, as more extreme temperatures are known to kill certain species faster, along known time/temp trajectories. Alternatively or additionally, a timer may be integrated into the suitcase  10  for this purpose. 
         [0066]    Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.