Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/534,486, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Treating Pests,” filed Sep. 14, 2011, the technical disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling water pests. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Mussels and other such water pests infest waterways and clog intake pipes. One such example is the Zebra mussel,  Dreissena polymorpha . These mussels attach and cluster atop virtually any solid surface. This is problematic when the surface is a water intake pipe as the mussels restrict flow through the pipe. Further mussels undesirably attach to ships&#39; ballasts. Finally, these and other pests often carry dangerous and undesirable diseases, including water borne diseases, which are harmful to humans or other wildlife. Consequently, there is a need to be able to kill or remove the mussels and other such pests. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an endod device in a disk shape. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an endod device in one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an endod tablet in one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Several embodiments of Applicants&#39; invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Unless otherwise noted, like elements will be identified by identical numbers throughout all figures. The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein. 
     It has been discovered that  Phytolacca dodecandra , generally known as Endod or African Soapberry, is useful in the killing of mussels and other such water pests. One example of such pests is the Zebra mussel. Pests include mussels, snails, mollusks, and other such life forms which are to be controlled. These pests often carry many diseases which can be spread to humans and domesticated animals. For example schistosomiasis is spread via snails. This is very common in rice paddies throughout Asia. Consequently, by controlling snails, for example, the spread of schistosomiasis can be decreased. 
     Endod is degradable which makes it suitable for use in waterways. It is believed that the effective ingredient in endod is saponin. Endod has been found safe for humans and domesticated animals. Thus, endod can be applied in common waterways with minimal, if any, unintended environmental impact. 
     Successful application of endod results in either killing the pest or rendering them incapable of latching onto surfaces. An application of endod which results in either the killing of pests, or rendering them incapable of latching onto surfaces is referred to as an effective application. The concentration of endod as well as the length of application can be adjusted during the application to reach an effective application. It can be appreciated that in some embodiments an effective application can comprise a lower concentration (ppm) along with a longer application (hours). 
     Endod can be applied in a variety of different ways. In one embodiment the endod berries are ground to form a powder. The powder can then be suspended in a liquid medium, such as water. The amount of endod in the solution can be adjusted, but it has been found that an effective concentration of between 5 ppm and about 20 ppm has been sufficient to either kill pests or render them incapable of latching onto surfaces. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an endod device in a disk shape.  FIG. 1  shows a pipe  100 . The pipe  100  can be an intake pipe, an outlet pipe, virtually any pipe through which water flows. As illustrated the pipe  100  has an outer diameter  101 , and an inner diameter  102 . 
       FIG. 1  also shows an endod device  103 . An endod device  103  is a device which comprises endod. The endod can be contained within the device  103  or the endod can be applied to the surface of the endod device  103 . In one embodiment, the endod is applied to the device  103  via a binder. A binder is any substance which holds endod within and/or onto the device  103 . The endod can be dissolved in the binder, or the endod can be applied to the surface of the binder. As will be described below, in one embodiment the binder is water soluble. 
     As depicted the endod device  103  comprises a disk, although the device  103  can comprise a variety of shapes. In one embodiment the device  103  has an outer diameter which is slightly less than the inner diameter  102  of the pipe  100 . Slightly less refers to a first value which is between about 80% and about 100% of a second value. In one embodiment the device  103  has an outer diameter which is between about 90% and about 100% of the inner diameter  102  of the pipe  100 . 
     As depicted the device  103  is a disk which has a central opening. In other embodiments the disk comprises two or more openings. In still other embodiments the device  103  does not comprise a central opening but instead is water permeable. In such an embodiment water flows through the device  103 . In one embodiment the shape of the device  103  is substantially similar to the cross-section of the pipe  100 . In other embodiments the device  103  comprises the shape of a cube, ball, or other solid surface. The device  103  can comprise virtually any shape. 
     As noted, in one embodiment the device  103  comprises endod. In one embodiment the endod device  103  comprises a slow release endod device. As used herein, a slow release endod device is a device which is still releasing endod after 2 hours. In one embodiment the slow release endod is still releasing endod after 8 hours. The time release properties of the endod on the device  103  can be adjusted for a variety of factors including the size of the pipe, the flow rate through the pipe, the length of the pipe, etc. It can be appreciated that if all of the endod was simply released at a single point, the endod would disperse through and with the flowing fluid. As such, the residence time of the endod within the pipe and around the pests would be minimal. However, a slow release allows some endod to be released over time which increases the time in which the pests are exposed to endod, referred to herein as the exposure time. 
     It has been discovered that some mussels and other such pests can sense chlorine and other chemicals in the water. When this happens, the pests do not circulate or otherwise take-in air and/or water for a period of between 1 and 8 hours. Accordingly, in one embodiment the duration of the application of the endod is greater than 8 hours. This ensures the exposure time will be greater than the time that the pests do not circulate air/water. Consequently, the pest will be exposed to endod. As such, in one embodiment the slow release properties of the disk allow the endod to be released for a period greater than 8 hours. 
     The time release properties of the endod and the device  103  can be achieved in a variety of ways. In one embodiment the endod is encapsulated in the device  103  via a binder. As noted, in one embodiment the binder comprises a water soluble substance. Thus, as the water soluble substance dissolves over time, the endod which was encapsulated or otherwise sealed by the water soluble substance is released. The water soluble substance can comprise any substance which slowly dissolves in water and which is non-reactive to the endod. Examples of such a water soluble substance includes but is not limited to some salts and sugars. 
     In one embodiment the device  103  is a permanent feature secured temporarily to a location upstream of the pests which are to be removed. For example, the device  103  can be located near the intake of the pipe  100 .  FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of an endod device in one embodiment. The device  103  can be secured via any device known in the art including welding, screwing, bolting, etc. Thus, water flows around and/or through the device  103  and distributes the endod to the pests  104 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1  it can be seen that the device  103  comprises a disk shape. As noted, in one embodiment the outer diameter of the device  103  is slightly less than the inner diameter of the pipe  100 . In one embodiment the device  103  operates as previously described by releasing endod over time. Thus, the pests  104  of this embodiment are removed via a chemical means. However, in one embodiment the device  103  further provides a mechanical force to remove the pests. As seen in  FIG. 1 , water applies a force against the device  103  in an attempt to push the device  103  downstream. As the device  103  is forced downstream it slowly releases endod. Simultaneously, while advancing downstream the device  103  brushes against the inner diameter  102  of the pipe  100 . While advancing downstream, however, the device  103  is stopped by the presence of mussels  104  which have yet to release. Put differently, the device  103  cannot advance downstream because pests  104  block the device&#39;s  103  further movement. As such, the force of the water pressed against the downstream end of the device  103  which applies a force against the pests  104 . The obstructing pests  104  become weak due in part to the presence of the endod as well as the pressure of the device  103 . Thus, the obstructing pests  104  eventually lose their grip and fall. The device  103  is then advanced further downstream where it may or may not abut against additional obstructing pests  104 . 
     As noted, in one embodiment the endod device  103  maintains its shape as it advances through the pipe  100 . As such, in one embodiment the endod device  103  comprises sufficient rigidity to retain its shape. In such embodiments, this rigidity prevents the endod device  103  from contorting. Accordingly, the endod device  103  maintains its shape and thus advances along the inside diameter of the pipe  100 . Without sufficient rigidity, the endod device  103  could bend and flow through the pipe  100  without encountering any obstructing pests  104 . 
     As described there are several methods of treating pests utilizing an endod device. In one embodiment an endod device is first obtained. Thereafter, the endod device is placed in a pipe. In one embodiment the device is secured within the pipe. In other embodiments the endod device is advanced downstream through the pipe. 
     This method offers several unexpected benefits. First, this method allows the combination of mechanical and chemical means to remove the pests. Further, in one embodiment because the released endod is in close proximity with the obstructing mussel, the obstructing mussel receives a high concentration blast of endod. This is because the endod has not yet had an opportunity to diffuse within the flowing water. Thus, the obstructing pests receive a concentrated blast of endod as well as an applied force of the device  103 . The combined forces ensure the pests release their grip. 
     Another benefit is that, in some embodiments, when the device  103  reaches any downstream location, the operator is ensured that the pipe surfaces upstream of the device  103  have been successfully cleaned. As an example, in  FIG. 1  the pipe comprises a removable filter  105 . A filter prevents larger items from passing downstream of the filter. For example, if  FIG. 1  shows the intake to a pump it may be desirable to minimize the passage of any large items to the pump. A removable filter  105  helps trap items of a specified size from flowing downstream of the filter. Any filter  105  known in the art can be used. As noted above, if the device  103  is stopped at the filter  105 , then the operator knows that the pipe  100  upstream of the filter  105  has been successfully cleaned. The filter  105  can also act to capture released pests. It should be noted that in some embodiments the entire endod device  103  is water soluble. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective of an endod tablet in one embodiment. In this embodiment the tablet  308  comprises endod  306  as well as a water soluble binder  307 . In operation the tablet  308  is dropped into a body of water comprising pests. In one embodiment the tablet  308  is a time release tablet which releases endod over time. In one embodiment the tablet  308  is still releasing endod after 8 hours. The water soluble substance  307  can comprise any water soluble substance previously described. The amount of endod  306  per tablet can be adjusted for a variety of factors. 
     In operation at least one tablet  308  is inserted within a body of water comprising pests. The tablet  308  releases the endod  306  which subsequently kills the pests or renders them incapable of latching onto solid surfaces. In one embodiment the first step is determining the amount of endod required for an effective application. In one embodiment the first step comprises determining the approximate volume of water to be treated. Thereafter, the proper amount of tablets  308  is inserted into the water. 
     As noted, there are several unexpected results. First, removing undesirable pests from solid surfaces resulted in increased flow though pipes, better functioning ballasts, and cleaner solid surfaces. Additionally, killing disease carrying pests prevents the spreading of many diseases. Finally, because endod is safe for the environment and humans, any unintended environmental concerns are minimized. 
     In still another embodiment pipes and other items, such as a ship&#39;s ballast, are pre-treated with endod. For example, a pipe can be coated with a slow release coating which comprises endod. In one embodiment the slow release coating slowly releases endod for a period of many months. In such embodiments the pre-coated pipes would prevent the accumulation of pests. This method can be supplemented with the other methods and devices discussed herein. 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     ADDITIONAL DESCRIPTION 
     The following clauses are offered as further description of the disclosed invention. 
     1. A method of treating pests, said method comprising the steps of: 
     a. obtaining an endod device, wherein said endod device comprises endod; 
     b. placing said endod device in a pipe. 
     2. The method according to any preceding clause wherein said endod device further comprises a binder. 
     3. The method according to clause 2 wherein said binder is water soluble. 
     4. The method according to any preceding clause wherein said endod device comprises a disk. 
     5. The method according to clause 4 wherein said disk comprises an outer diameter, and wherein said water pipe comprises an inner diameter, wherein said outer diameter of said disk is slightly less than the inner diameter of said pipe. 
     6. The method according to any preceding clause wherein said pipe comprises a population of pests. 
     7. The method according to any preceding clause further comprising: 
     c. advancing said endod device downstream through said water pipe. 
     8. The method according to any preceding clause wherein said placing of step b) comprises securing said endod device within said pipe. 
     9. The method according to any preceding clause wherein said endod device is a slow release endod device. 
     10. The method according to any preceding clause wherein said placing comprises placing an effective application of endod. 
     11. A method of treating pests in a body of water, said method comprising the steps of: 
     a. obtaining an endod tablet, wherein said tablet comprises endod and a binder; 
     b. placing said endod tablet into said body of water. 
     12. The method according to clause 11 further comprising the step of calculating an effective amount of endod, wherein said calculating step occurs prior to said placing of step b). 
     13. A device for treating pests, said device comprising: 
     endod; and 
     a binder. 
     14. The device according to clause 13 wherein said device is a tablet. 
     15. The device according to clauses 13-14 wherein said device is a disk. 
     16. The device according to clauses 13-15 wherein said binder is water soluble. 
     17. The device according to clauses 13-16 wherein said device is a slow release endod device.

Technology Category: 8