CA2881172A1

CA2881172A1 - Apparatus and method for killing bedbugs using hydronic heating

Info

Publication number: CA2881172A1
Application number: CA2881172A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Alex Genzer
Original assignee: Madon Tina
Current assignee: Madon Tina
Priority date: 2015-02-09
Filing date: 2015-02-09
Publication date: 2016-08-09

Abstract

Apparatus to exterminate a targeted bed bug infestation using hydronic heating comprising a water tank having heating element for heating water in the tank, a hose having an inlet end connected to a water outlet communicating with the water in the tank and an outlet end connected to a return water inlet in said tank and a pump to circulate heated water from the tank through the hose.

Description

TITLE: APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR KILLING BEDBUGS USING
HYDRONIC HEATING
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This disclosure generally relates to the area of pest control and a system to eliminate bedbugs different from traditional heat treatment options of tenting and heating areas using electric fans.

[0002] More specifically this disclosure relates to portable apparatus that uses hydronic heating to target a particular area of bed bug infestation.
BACKGROUND

[0003] Bedbugs are small biting insects that multiply quickly and travel easily. They can be difficult to identify and can be found in private homes, condos, hotels, and even businesses and offices. Bed bugs are difficult to detect and hard to eliminate. Professional pest removal services are necessary to adequately remove bed bug infestations.
Common removal options are pesticides and heat treatment. Heating an area to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (or more) is an effective way to kill bed bugs in that area.

[0004] Heat treatment of bed bugs can be targeted to specific areas such as pieces of furniture or the treatment can be for an entire room. The first method involves putting a couch or bed in a heating chamber or furniture bag. Hot air is then pumped in to kill the bed bugs. Another method uses hydronics, glycol, and electric fans to heat air in an entire room. It takes an extended period of time for the room to stay at the higher temperature.

[0005] Both methods require professional pest control services which could be expensive depending on the size of the infestation, and the scheduling of eradication is out of the home owner's control. The bag heating option is limited to size of the bag, and cannot target other areas such as cracks. The room heating that uses fans take a long time to heat and maintain the temperature in the room and are also noisy.

[0006] Other portable heating pest control methods use a flow of water through a heat exchanger, combined with fans to move hot air. The water is continuously running and is drained which can use a large quantity of electricity and water.

[0007] Some disadvantages of pest removal companies include high costs, long treatment times, potential dangers of pesticides, and inconvenience in scheduling.

[0008] There is need for a system that could allow building owners to address bed bug problems without the expense and inconvenience of using professional pest control companies.
SUMMARY

[0009] The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus (collectively a system) to exterminate a targeted bed bug infestation using hydronic heating.

[0010]In one embodiment the system includes a heating unit to continually heat and recirculate water (hydronic heating) through a hose. The hose is looped around the periphery of the infected area and over the surface of infected items through the targeted area. Heated water running through the hose heats the surface of items infected and air immediately above the surface to a temperature greater than required to kill the bed bugs namely 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

[0011] Further features of the invention will be described or will become apparent in the course of the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] In order that the disclosure may be more clearly understood, embodiments thereof will now be described in detail by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] Fig 1 is a schematic in cross section of one embodiment of a fluid tank and heating unit for apparatus according to the present disclosure.

[0014] Fig 2 is a front schematic of a cart design that has the fluid tank and heating unit of Fig 1 together with a hose reel.

[0015] Similar references are used in different figures to denote similar components DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0016] The description which follows and the embodiments described therein are provided by way of illustration of an example or examples of particular embodiments of principles and aspects of the disclosed system. These examples are provided for the purposes of explanation and not of limitation of those principles and of the disclosed system.

[0017] Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, an embodiment of apparatus (collectively a system) to exterminate a targeted bed bug infestation using hydronic heating is generally indicated at 1. The apparatus comprises a water tank 2 having heating element 3 for heating water in the tank 2. Heating means 3 can be an electrical element. A hose 4 is wound on to reel 5.
The hose 4 in the embodiment illustrated is flexible and kink-resistant. The inlet end 6 of hose 4 is connected to the outlet 7 of supply water outlet tube 8. The outlet end 9 of hose 4 is connected to the inlet 10 of return water inlet tube 11. The return water inlet tube 11 is illustrated in the embodiment in Fig 1 to have its outlet 11B at adjacent the bottom of tank 2. The water tank 2 and hose reel 5 are shown in Fig 2 mounted on a moveable portable cart 12.

[0018] A supply hose 13 can have one end 14 connected to an inlet valve 15 on supply water outlet tube 8. The other end 16 is connected to an external water source such as a =
sink tap (not shown). The external water source is initially used to fill water tank 2. After the tank 2 is full, the external water source can be used to top up the water level in the tank 2 if required. The inlet 17 of supply water outlet tube 8 is in communication with the interior of tank 2. A pump 18 is used to circulate heated water from tank 2 through hose 4 and return to tank 2. The water Between pump 18 and inlet valve 15 on supply water outlet tube 8 are a check valve 19 and flow switch 20. Temperature gauge 21 indicates the temperature of the water leaving tank 2.

[0019] Tank 2 is provided with a drain valve 22 in order to drain water from the tank 2 after use. A high limit sensor 23 is provided to monitor water temperature and shut off the heating element 3 if water temperature exceeds a set limit such as 200 F.
As additional security to prevent heating element 3 and/or pump 18 from operating if water levels in the tank fall below a desired level, a low water cut off 24 is provided. An air eliminator valve 25 and pressure relief valve 26 are also provided on tank 2.

[0020] To exterminate a targeted bed bug infestation using hydronic heating, the apparatus 1 is placed near the target area. The water tank 2 is filled using supply hose 8 connected to a convenient water source such as a kitchen tap. The hose 4 is unwound from reel 5 and positioned around the periphery of the targeted infestation area and then over the floor, furniture and other surfaces where the bed bugs are located.
Water in the tank 2 is heated and circulated through the hose 4, heating the corresponding contacting surface area adjacent the hose to kill bedbugs in that targeted area. By placing the hose 4 around the periphery of the target area, the bed bugs cannot escape from the target area without being killed.

[0021] The apparatus disclosed herein eliminates the need to heat an entire room.
Heating air in an entire room is an inefficient and expensive way of targeting bed bugs.
Where fans are used to heat the air they can be noisy. Putting infected furniture items into a bag or other containment unit and then heating the air in the bag is also not an optimum way of eliminating bed bugs as it may ignore infestations in cracks in the floor or other areas.

[0022] While the principles of the invention have been shown and described in connection with specific embodiments, it is to be understood that such embodiments are by way of example and are not limiting As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the mobile stand illustrated in the drawings. Other modifications and applications, or equivalents, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms "having", "comprising" and "including" and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of "optional" or "may include" and not as "required". Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and attached drawings. For example, liquids other than water such as oil or glycol can be used as long as it flows through the hose and can be heated to the desired temperature. Use of other liquids may eliminate the need for some of the described components in Fig 1 such as water supply hose 13, etc. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims that follow.
The scope of the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one"
unless specifically so stated , but rather one or more. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the embodiment described throughout the disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and intended to be encompassed by the claims.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. Apparatus to exterminate a targeted bed bug infestation using hydronic heating comprising a water tank having heating element for heating water in the tank, a hose having an inlet end connected to a water outlet communicating with the water in the tank and an outlet end connected to a return water inlet in said tank and a pump to circulate heated water from the tank through the hose.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 that is portable and mounted on a cart.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the hose is wound on a reel.

4. A method of exterminating a targeted bed bug infestation using hydronic heating, the method comprising providing apparatus having a water tank having heating element for heating water in the tank, a hose having an inlet end connected to a water outlet communicating with the water in the tank and an outlet end connected to a return water inlet in said tank and a pump to circulate heated water from the tank through the hose, wherein the apparatus is placed near the target area, the water tank is filled and the hose is positioned around the periphery of the targeted infestation area and then over the floor, furniture and other surfaces where the bed bugs are located, heating the water in the tank and circulating the water through the hose, heating the corresponding contacting surface area adjacent the hose to kill bedbugs in the targeted area.