AU2010201901A1 - A Holder for a Dispersible Chemical - Google Patents

Abstract

A holder for a dispersible chemical includes a mounting member defining an aperture and configured for fastening to a structural member such that the aperture communicates with an opening in the structural member. A carrier is provided for carrying the dispersible chemical, the carrier being arranged on the mounting member in communication with the aperture such that the chemical disperses into a space on one side of the structural member. I/la (0 36 6L6L) I (0 F16et~'

Description

AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 Complete Specification Invention Title: A HOLDER FOR A DISPERSIBLE CHEMICAL The following statement describes the best manner of performing the invention known to the applicant: FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a holder for a dispersible chemical. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 5 It is common practice to treat a building, such as a dwelling, with a dispersible chemical such as a pesticide dispersed by a "bomb" or "fogger", herbicides, algaecides or fungicides. In many such cases, a pressurized container of the chemical is positioned in a region requiring treatment and activated. The user must then leave that area because of the poisonous or hazardous nature of the chemical. 0 In cases where the space requiring treatment is a floor, wall or roof space, the user is forced to enter the space or an area proximate the space to activate the required number of containers and then vacate the area. Such a task can be both hazardous and awkward. It follows that treatment of such areas in this manner is usually carried out by professionals. 5 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a holder for a dispersible chemical, the holder including a mounting member defining an aperture and configured for fastening to a structural member such that the aperture communicates with an opening in the structural member; and 0 a carrier for carrying the dispersible chemical, the carrier being arranged on the mounting member in communication with the aperture such that the chemical disperses into a space on one side of the structural member. The carrier may be configured for attachment to the mounting member in communication with the aperture. 25 The mounting member may be configured for mounting in an opening defined by at least one of a floor, wall and roof panel. It will be appreciated that a user can place the dispersible chemical in the carrier and attach the carrier to the mounting member such that the chemical fumes or fog are released into said space and not into the area occupied by the user. It follows that the need physically to enter said space 30 is obviated.

The mounting member may be configured for mounting in an opening defined by a floor, wall or roof panel. Thus, the chemical is dispersed into a floor, wall or roof space while the need to enter such a space is obviated. The mounting member may include a tubular portion with an external thread, the tubular portion 5 defining said aperture in the form of a passage. A flange may extend from the tubular portion in a radial manner. The flange may be configured for fastening to a periphery of the opening. The flange may define a number of holes so that the flange can be fastened to the structural member with fasteners received through the holes. The carrier may include an internally threaded cap that can be threaded onto the tubular portion. 0 A receptacle may be arranged on the cap to receive the dispersible chemical. The receptacle may be elongate and tubular and may be configured to receive a container in which the dispersible chemical is stored, such as a pesticide "bomb" or fogger. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit for holding a dispersible chemical, the kit including 5 a mounting member defining an aperture and configured for fastening to a structural member such that the aperture communicates with an opening in the structural member; and a carrier for carrying the dispersible chemical, the carrier configured for attachment to the mounting member in communication with the aperture such that the chemical disperses into a space on one side of the structural member. 0 According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of dispersing a chemical into a region on one side of a structural member with a holder as described above, the method including the steps of: placing a chemical for dispersal into said region in the carrier; and attaching the carrier to the mounting member as fastened to the structural member. 25 The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the preceding paragraphs or the appended claims. 30 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows an unassembled view of a holder and a kit, both in accordance with the invention, for holding a dispersible chemical. Figure 2 shows a side view of the holder, prior to attaching a carrier of the holder to a mounting 5 member of the holder. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally indicates a holder, in accordance with the invention, for a dispersible chemical. The reference numeral 10 also generally indicates a kit, in 0 accordance with the invention, for holding a dispersible chemical. The holder 10 includes a mounting member 12 configured for fastening to a structural member 14, in this example, a roof panel, such as a ceiling. The mounting member 12 includes a tubular portion 16 with an external thread 18. The tubular portion 16 defines an aperture or passage 22 through the mounting member. The tubular portion 16 communicates with an opening 26 in the 5 roof panel 14, in use. A flange 20 extends from the tubular portion 16 in a radial manner. The flange 20 defines a number of holes 24. Fasteners in the form of screw anchors 28 are received through the holes 24 and through the roof panel 14 to fasten the flange 20 to the roof panel 14. A locating formation 30 extends from the flange 20 and is dimensioned to fit the opening 26 0 such that the passage 22 communicates with a region 34 on one side of the roof panel 34. The holder 10 includes a carrier 32 for carrying a dispersible chemical such as a pesticide, herbicide, algaecide, or fungicide in a pressurised container and configured for attachment to the mounting member 12 such that the chemical can be dispersed into a region 34 on one side of the roof panel 34 from the container, once activated. Thus, the pressurised container can be a 25 pesticide "bomb" or "fogger". The carrier 32 includes an internally threaded cap 36 that is screwed onto the tubular portion 16 to close the passage 22. A holder 38 is arranged on the cap 36 to extend into the passage 22 when the cap 36 is screwed onto the tubular portion 16. The holder 38 is configured to receive the container so that the chemical can be dispersed into the region 34, while the cap 36 protects the 30 user from exposure to the chemical.

In use, the mounting member 12 is positioned in a desired location with the carrier 32 attached to the mounting member 12, as described above. It will be appreciated that within a building, such as a dwelling, a number of the holders 10 can be positioned in desired locations. The cap 36 and tubular portion 16 are configured to have a relatively low profile and can be provided with an 5 aesthetic finish. Thus, the holders 10 can be permanent fixtures within a building. In accordance with the invention, when it is desired to treat the region 34, for example, a floor, wall or roof space, the cap 36 can be unscrewed from the tubular portion 16, the container placed in the holder 38 and activated, and the cap 36 screwed back onto the tubular portion 16 allowing the chemical to be dispersed into the region 34, with minimal effect on the user. 0 It follows that a building such as a dwelling can be chemically treated, for example for pests, algae or fungus, without the need for a user to enter into awkward areas. Also, it is not necessary for the user to activate a number of containers in a common area, such as a floor or roof space before leaving that area. Thus, the hazard to a user is minimized when compared to the conventional modes of treatment. 5 It follows that the invention is suited for use by home owners and other maintenance personnel who are not particularly skilled in chemical treatment. It is to be understood that the terminology employed above is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The described embodiments are intended to be illustrative of the invention, without limiting the scope thereof. The invention is capable of being practised 0 with various modifications and additions as will readily occur to those skilled in the art.

Claims (15)

1. A holder for a dispersible chemical, the holder including a mounting member defining an aperture and configured for fastening to a structural 5 member such that the aperture communicates with an opening in the structural member; and a carrier for carrying the dispersible chemical, the carrier being arranged on the mounting member in communication with the aperture such that the chemical disperses into a space on one side of the structural member. 0

2. A holder as claimed in claim 1, in which the carrier is configured for attachment to the mounting member in communication with the aperture.

3. A holder as claimed in claim 1, in which the mounting member is configured for mounting in an opening defined by at least one of a floor, wall and roof panel. 5

4. A holder as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the mounting member includes a tubular portion with an external thread, the tubular portion defining said aperture in the form of a passage. 0

5. A holder as claimed in claim 4, in which a flange extends from the tubular portion in a radial manner.

6. A holder as claimed in claim 5, in which the flange is configured for fastening to a periphery of the opening. 25

7. A holder as claimed in claim 6, in which the flange defines a number of holes so that the flange can be fastened to the structural member with fasteners received through the holes.

8. A holder as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7, in which the carrier includes an 30 internally threaded cap that can be threaded onto the tubular portion.

9. A holder as claimed in claim 8, in which a receptacle is arranged on the cap to receive the dispersible chemical.

10. A holder as claimed in claim 9, in which the receptacle is elongate and tubular, being configured to receive a container in which the dispersible chemical is stored. 5

11. A kit for holding a dispersible chemical, the kit including a mounting member defining an aperture and configured for fastening to a structural member such that the aperture communicates with an opening in the structural member; and a carrier for carrying the dispersible chemical, the carrier configured for attachment to the mounting member in communication with the aperture such that the chemical disperses into a 0 space on one side of the structural member.

12. A method of dispersing a chemical into a region on one side of a structural member with a holder as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, the method including the steps of: placing a chemical for dispersal into said region in the carrier; and 5 attaching the carrier to the mounting member as fastened to the structural member.

13. A holder for a dispersible chemical, substantially as described herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 0

14. A kit for holding a dispersible chemical, substantially as described herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. A method of dispersing a chemical into a region on one side of a structural member, substantially as described herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 25