AU2007201514A1 - Insecticide/termiticide system - Google Patents

Description

INSECTICIDE/TERMITICIDE SYSTEM Field of the Invention This invention relates to pest control equipment and systems in particular but not exclusively to a pest control system for residential and domestic buildings.

Background Art 0 The use of pesticides or termiticides to control termites or white ants is known.

There have been various systems which have been developed such as that described in US 2002/0197295A1 which relates to the placement of rigid foam sheets and sheets of mesh formed of polymer material impregnated with a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide such as PermethrinTM.

The subject matter of this prior art concerns mainly foam sheets comprised of expanded polystyrene which is rigid when dry. It describes foam board as well as chemically impregnated mesh. In particular, polystyrene foam board can be an injectable foam but forming into a rigid ?0 material on site.

Other prior art also describes protecting produce such as fruit or vegetables with thermoplastic composition impregnated with pyrethroid insecticide.

Because of the rigidity of the prior art in terms of foam sheets, and expanded polystyrene, the prior art when drying out can be subject to shrinkage and possible decomposition by breaking up resulting in the loss of the insecticide and termiticide properties.

Obiect of the Invention It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved method of applying insecticide or termiticide in domestic buildings and residences.

2 Statement of the Invention -4 In one aspect, therefore the invention resides in a insecticide dispensing system including and in combination, flexible liquid absorbent material, pre-cut into different sizes for installation into existing structures, the absorbent material adapted to absorb insecticides and termiticides for the control of 0 insect pests such as cockroaches and for the control of termites or white ants, wherein in use, the flexible absorbent material can be cut into different shapes for insertion into crevices or spaces in cupboards and other items of furniture including building cavities and the material then impregnated with a liquid termiticide or insecticide that can be replenished by spraying or direct application over time.

The invention allows a slow release of insecticide over time for added benefit of controlling insects.

In other aspect, the invention resides in a termiticide and insecticide reticulation system for use with building structures including and in combination; a liquid absorbent material placed in building course working cavities, typically between the slab and the footing, said absorbent material impregnated with termiticide and or insecticide, a tubular reticulation system in contact with or in close proximity to the absorbent material, the reticulation system adapted to deliver liquid insecticide or termiticide to be replenished in the absorbent material, particularly for areas where re application by hand spray can not be carried out In a further aspect, the invention resides in a produce fruit or vegetable container wherein the interior walls of the container are lined with or have regions of soft liquid absorbent material, the absorbent material impregnated with liquid insecticide, Sthe container adapted to be reusable by re-spraying the absorbent material of the container with liquid insecticide on drying out.

Preferably, the liquid absorbent material is a non-biodegradable polyurethane foam.

Preferably the liquid absorbent material of the reticulation system is flexible/soft pre cut/sized polyurethane foam.

SPreferably the reticulation system for use with building structures is a closed loop tubular 0 reticulation system having dispensing nozzles or outlets for the introduction of termiticide or insecticide in close proximity to or in contact with the liquid absorbent material whereby the material absorbs the liquid termiticide or insecticide dispensed through the reticulation system.

Preferably, the liquid dispensed by the reticulation system is forced through the reticulation system under pressure.

Preferably, the insecticide or pesticide used is a pyrethroid insecticide.

Preferably the termiticide is bifenthrin termiticide.

!0 Brief Description of the Drawings In order that the invention be better understood and put into practical effect, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the invention as used according to Example 1.

Figures 2A and 2B show a preferred embodiment of the invention according to Example 2.

Figures 3A and 3B show a preferred embodiment of the invention according to Example 3.

4 SFigures 4A, 4B and 4C show a preferred embodiment of the invention according to Example 4.

Figure 5 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention according to Example Figure 6 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention according to Example 6, SFigures 7A, 7B and 7C show a preferred embodiment of the invention according to Example 7.

Figures 8 and 9 show use of the invention according to Examples 8 and 9, respectfully.

Figures 10 A and 1 OB show detail of the invention according to Example Figure 11 shows the invention according to Example 11 Figures 12 and 13 show the invention according to Example 12 and 13, respectfully.

Figures 14 shows the invention according to Example 14 0Figure 15 shows the invention according to Example Figure 16 shows the invention according to Example 16.

Figure 17 shows the invention according to Example 17.

Figure 18 shows the invention according to Example 18.

Figure 19 shows the invention according to Example 19.

Figure 19 shows the invention according to Example 19.

Figure 20 shows the invention according to Example Figure 21 shows the invention according to Example 21.

Figure 22 shows the invention according to Example 22.

Figure 23 shows the invention according to Example 23.

Detailed Description of the Drawings Example 1 Referring now to drawings and initially to Figure 1 there is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention according to Example 1. This example shows a foam strip 16 having a peel off adhesive layer 12. The foam strip is impregnated with an insecticide.

In Figures 1B and 1C the foam strip 14, 15, 16 is shown attached inside a kitchen cupboard and on the draw runners 18 typically where cockroaches tend to hide and or breed.

0 Currently in kitchens, especially commercial kitchens, gels and sprays are applied to surfaces. With constant and cleaning within the kitchen areas, which is necessary for health and safely regulations, the powders, gels and sprays used to control insects are inevitably washed away. With the present invention in the form of a foam retaining the insecticide, the liquid insecticide is soaked into the foam. On drying, the insecticide crystallises into the matrix of the foam. As the foam is wet during cleaning, the insecticide with then be activated in the foam itself.

After a prolonged period, wherein the insecticide finally degrades, it is a simple matter to ?0 simply re-spray and rejuvenate into the foam for on-going operation.

Example 2 Figure 2A and 2B shows example of the invention in use by attaching under countertops and into cracks 22 and hole 27 or holes in brickwork.

Example 4 Figures 4A and 4B and 4C show the use of the invention 28 with a termiticide delivered through a reticulation system 30 installed in building course work.

Referring to Figure 4A therein shown a slab 32 overlying a footing 34 with an outer brick wall 36 forming a cavity 38 in which a liquid absorbent material such as granulated foam or compact sand 40 can be contained.

Figure 4B and Figure 4C show the reticulated system 42, 43 in the form of a tubular network having nozzles or apertures in which termiticide can be forced through under pressure in contact or in close proximity to the liquid absorbent material namely the sand or granulated polyurethane foam.

There is also shown termite resistant polyvinyl chloride or aluminium end caps 44, 46 shown in Figure 4B and 4C.

In Figure 4A the end cap is in the form of a blanket 48. The blanket or end caps provide a physical barrier to termites and are used at doorways and are particularly used for sill-tile adhesion. PVC or aluminium capping can be glued to the brick work and then the tiles can be 0 adhered to the top of the physical barriers.

Example Figure 5 shows another version of the invention wherein there is shown a geotextile lower sheet 50 and a plastic upper sheet 52 scaling the non-biodegradable foam 54 in contact with a reticulation system 56 for replenishing the termiticide in the foam.

Example 6 Figure 6 shows a reticulation pipe 60 penetration treatment of foam 62 wherein foam on either side of a perforate reticulated line 60 with a feeder line 61 for replenishing termiticide is !0 shown. Termiticide enters the perforated reticulated line which is in contact with the foam such that termiticide is absorbed by the foam.

Example 7 Figure 7A, Figure 7B and Figure 7C shows external detail with respect to soil and concrete paved areas using the invention.

Shown in Figure 7A there is an application of foam 70 between a brick course work 72 and the soil 74.

Figure 7B shows the same arrangement as Figure 7A wherein the foam 76 is placed between brick course work 78 and an exterior concrete slab 80. Figure 7C shows a similar arrangement as with Figure 7A and Figure 7B wherein the soil or concrete slab is replaced with external pavers 82.

It is important that where foam or sand is used, that the external footings must be clean and have no brick water dripping on top of the footings.

Examples 8 and 9 Figure 8 and Figure 9 shows where foam 84 can be used as a termite resistant material for lining and filling a gap or hole Figure 8 shows the repair of a concrete area 86 where a pipe has been moved and the application of foam 88, 89, 90, 92 in the area to prevent termites. Figure 9 shows the lining of a 0 gap 94 around the electrical pipe 96 and internal conduit wiring 98 wherein the outer PVC conduit contains a lining of termite foam 100 in and around the electrical cable 98.

Example Figure 10A and Figure 10B show detail of the termite foam 103, 103, 104 and reticulation system 106, 108. Figure 10A shows a reticulation system 106 in contact with a vertically positioned foam lining 102. The reticulation system has a feeder pipe 107 for replenishing the termiticide.

Figure 10OB shows the arrangement of Figure 10A wherein the foam lining 103 is placed ?0 in a horizontal position with respect to the reticulation system 108.

Example 11 Figure 11 shows a foam block 110 having a cut slip 111 for the wedging of the reticulation pipe system 112 within the foam block.

Examples 12 and 13 Figures 12 and 13 shows the use of a reticulation system 114, 115 and absorbent foam 116, 117 in controlled joints between slabs 120, 122, or a slab 123 in the wall 124.

Example 14 Figure 14 shows the use of foam 126 in contact with brick course work 128 as a form of termite barrier after water proofing in an exterior application.

Figure Figure 15 shows foam 130 applied into gyprock 132 which would preferably be supported with battens (not shown).

The foam in the present invention is to prevent the access of termites by the positioning of the foam between or at a junction of other termite resistant material such as concrete, PVC, mainstream bricks and blocks. Various installation methods involve the placement of foam between exterior soil and structures, on top of timber, brick piers and around structures in various installation methods.

0 Example 16 Figure 16 shows the use of foam 130 as a cavity/brick capping detail.

Example 17 Figure 17 shows the use of a foam 132 in a slab 139 to slab 136 control joint wherein the foam is placed above a damp proof membrane 138 to prevent contact with the soil 140.

Example 18 Figure 18 shows a tilt panel 142 or masonry wall in contact with a floor slab 144 having ?0 space in which foam 146 with termiticide is applied.

Figure 19 Figure 19 shows a Connoley key joint 150 wherein there is a horizontal foam strip 152 impregnated with termiticide and lined with a damp proof membrane 154.

Example Figure 20 shows the Connoley key joint 156 having a cut-out 157 wherein the channel cut-out is filled on the top of the joint with termiticide impregnated foam 158.

Example 21 Figure 21 shows the application of foam both horizontally 160, 161 and vertically 162, 163 around a wall 164 or pipe 166 arrangement.

Example 22 Figure 22 shows the application of foam 170 hidden in a concrete slab 172 arrangement Example 23 ikn Figure 23 shows a fruit or vegetable shipping container or box 180 with interior walls lined with foam, 182, 183, 184, 185.

The application of insecticide to the foam lining can then protect the fruit or 190, 192 vegetables from insect attack and save spraying the fruit or vegetables directly.

0 The foam can be replenished with insecticide if the box is to be reused.

11 Variations It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

Throughout the description and claims this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, 0 components, integers or steps.

Claims (11)

1. An insecticide/termiticide dispensing system including and in combination, a liquid absorbent flexible soft foam material, pre-cut into different sizes for installation into existing structures, the adsorbent material adapted to absorb insecticides and termiticides for the control of insect pests such as cockroaches and for the control of termites or white ants, wherein in use, 0 the material can be cut into different shapes for insertion into crevices or spaces in cupboards and other items of furniture including building cavities and the material then impregnated with a liquid termiticide or insecticide that can be replenished by spraying or direct application over time.

2. A termiticide/insecticide reticulation system for use with building structures including and in combination, a liquid absorbent material placed in building course working cavities, typically between the slab and the footing, said absorbent material impregnated with termiticide and or insecticide, !0 a tubular reticulation system in contact with or in close proximity to the absorbent material, the reticulation system adapted to deliver liquid insecticide or termiticide to be replenished in the absorbent material.

3. A produce, fruit or vegetable container wherein the interior walls of the container are lined with or have regions of soft liquid absorbent material, the absorbent material impregnated with liquid insecticide, the container adapted to be reusable by re-spraying the absorbent material of the container with liquid insecticide on drying out.

4. An insecticide/termiticide dispensing system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the liquid absorbent material is a non-biodegradable polyurethane foam.

A produce, fruit or vegetable container as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the absorbent material is a polyurethane foam.

6. An insecticide/termiticide dispensing system as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the liquid absorbent material of the reticulation system is granulated polyurethane foam or sand.

7. An insecticide/termiticide dispensing system as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the reticulation system for use with building structures is a closed loop tubular reticulation system having dispensing nozzles or outlets for the introduction of termiticide or insecticide in close S0 proximity to or in contact with the liquid absorbent material whereby the material absorbs the liquid termiticide or insecticide dispensed through the reticulation system.

8. An insecticide/termiticide dispensing system as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the liquid dispensed by the reticulation system is forced through the reticulation system under pressure.

9. An insecticide/termiticide dispensing system as claimed in any of the above claims wherein the insecticide or pesticide used is a pyrethroid insecticide. !0

10. An insecticide/termiticide dispensing system as claimed in any of the above claims wherein the termiticide is bifenthrin termiticide.

11. An insecticide/termiticide dispensing system substantially as herein described with reference to any of the accompanying illustrations.