ES2692468A1 - Device and procedure for the annulment of velutina vespa nests (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention refers to a device that can be coupled to certain drones and their procedure, which allows, through a specific sequence, that all wasps of the Vespa Velutina species that are inside the nest are trapped in a bag of preferably plastic material (2) that surrounds the hornet's nest. Basically, the device must be used in nests that are at considerable heights and provided that its front area is cleared of branches or other obstacles. The device consists of a matrix structure (l) made of aluminum alloy that resembles the rigid structure of a butterfly net, ganapan or colander, that is, it consists of a straight arm that opens at one of its ends in a circumference. This matrix structure is composed of three differentiated parts that can be separated from each other, namely: An active arm (10), and two main semibodies (11) (12). In the active arm e housed a pulley (6) or pulley driven with an electric motor (4), a motor with batteries and controller (13), a connection flange to the drone (5) and several counterweights (7). The main semibodies are coupled to the active arm by means of a system that allows to regulate the length between the beginning of the circumference and the anchor point to the drone. The main semibodies are two symmetrical pieces that form a circumference that has the purpose of supporting a plastic bag and that, depending on the dimensions of the curved part, will form a circumference of greater or lesser radius, always depending on the size of the nest and the environment where he is. Fundamental elements of the present invention are a cord (3) of approximately 3 mm in diameter and a plastic bag (2). The cord runs from the hole provided for that purpose in the left half-body (17) and by the different guides of the straight section (16) of the same half-body in the direction of the pulley of the active arm, on which it is wound. For its part, the plastic bag must be provided with a closed fold in horizontal direction that will be used as a tunnel for the passage of the cord. This tunnel (8) or channel will have several openings (9) that are distributed periodically and that communicate its interior with the external part of the bag. The present device is fixed or attached to the lower part of the drone, usually at a central point, by means of a support located in the active arm (5), so that, once the drone takes off, it approaches the nest and the circumference of the parent structure is located below the nest. Regarding the procedure object of the present invention, once the nest is identified and an assessment of the suitability of the procedure is made, the drone is carefully raised following a vertical line surrounding the nest with the bag as far as the branch to which it is allowed. find anchored. By remote control, the motor of the device is activated so that the pulley turns clockwise and picks up the cord (3). Thanks to a sliding knot, the bag strangles the highest part of the nest reached by the device, leaving the nest wrapped in the bag that is previously sprayed with a suitable insecticide and a substance that makes the bag is stuck to the nest preventing the exit of the insects and nullifying the nest. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

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Closed fold horizontally and to be used as a tunnel for the passage of the cord (8) as shown in Figure 4 .. This channel (8) will have several openings (9), distributed periodically, that communicate its inside with the outside of the bag (2). The purpose of these holes (9) is to facilitate the placement of the cord (3) along the entire path, as shown in Figure 5. The third free bag above that passage will be used to surround, from the inside out, the main half-bodies (11) (12) of the matrix structure (1), as can be seen in Figure 6.

The size of the nest and its specific location will determine the measurements of both the main half-bodies (11) (12), the cord (3) and of course, the bag (2). As the maximum dimensions of the invention are shown in the figures, it is recommended that the bag (2), from its lower part to the channel for the cordino (8), has a height of 100 cm and a width of 96 cm, which allows when it is open slightly exceed 3 meters perimeter. With these measures, it is normal for you to cover the largest nests without problems. It should be noted that the procedure is effective regardless of the excess bag around the hornet.

The matrix structure (1) consists of a set of elements made of aluminum alloy, where the other components of the device are joined. Its shape is similar to the rigid part of a butterfly net, that is, with a straight arm (24) that forms a circumference (10) at one of its ends, as shown in Figures 1,3 and 8. The matrix structure (1) is therefore composed of three distinct parts that can be separated from each other: an active arm (10) and two main circular half-bodies (11), (12) joined by the straight arm (24), as can be seen in figure 8.

In the active arm (10), represented in figures 9 and 10, the pulley (6), the motor (4) with its batteries and controller, the flange or coupling support to the drone are housed

(5) and various counterweights (7). The main half-bodies (11,12) are coupled to the active arm (10) by a system consisting of two sliding channels (15) that allow to regulate the length between the start of the circumference and the anchor point to the drone (5). This length can vary between 600 and 800 mm, which allows it to adapt to the size of different drones, as shown in Figures 11 and 12.

The main half bodies (11 and 12) represented in Figure 8 are the two symmetrical parts responsible for forming the circumference that will hold the plastic bag (2). Depending on the dimensions in the curved part, they will form a circumference of smaller or greater radius. Therefore, depending on the size of the nest and the environment in which it is located, half-bodies (11) (12) of the most appropriate size can be used. In the explanatory figures, the measurements, both of the radius and of the bag (2) and the cord (3), correspond to a maximum size, especially proposed for nests with a large volume and a clear front area of branches. The length of the straight part will be invariable in all the semi-bodies (11) (12) that are manufactured, to be correctly coupled to the active arm (10). As shown in Figure 13, in this

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but it is another tool to consider when deciding how to remove the hornet. For example, if the nest is surrounded by too much branch, or it is not possible to place the bag (2) from its lower part, it would be necessary to choose other remedies, such as insecticide inoculation by means of a pole, direct withdrawal by an operator, etc. Although it is precisely in cases where other methods are not feasible, where the use of a drone is presented as a good option.

Fundamentally, the device will be used in nests that are very high and with a frontal area practically cleared of branches. This frontal zone must have a width equal to or greater than the diameter formed by the main half-bodies (1 meter in larger devices). It is also necessary that the lower part of the nest be sufficiently far from other branches, in order to sheath the bag from below.

It is also necessary to assess some aspects, some in broad daylight, in order to use the device successfully:

-Detect where the nest wasps come and go (location of the side hole).

-Estimation of the size of the nest.-If it is small, a smaller circumference in the matrix structure can facilitate maneuvering and avoid friction with the branches. The size of the main half bodies, as described, will condition the size of the bag and the cord.

-Decide the moment of action.-It is essential that all wasps are inside the nest before performing the procedure. Therefore, the first hours of the morning, the last hours of the afternoon, or moments in which due to meteorological reasons the wasps decide not to go outside (always avoiding rains or factors that can damage the drone) will be chosen. It is also possible to act at night or with little natural light; in this case, it may be necessary to use a spotlight from the ground and even a night vision camera in the drone itself.

Preparation of the bag and cord:

With the bag (2) correctly oriented (the opening for the upper part), pass the cord through the tunnel. It is introduced through any hole, which will be the same through which it will exit again. The remaining openings facilitate this placement. It is recommended to start the route from the left side and that the section of the cordino (3) that leaves on the right side is only about 5 cm. It is important that at the end of this maneuver the bag is fully deployed, without the cord tension (3) decreasing its opening (figure 22).

At the end of the cord (3) that comes from the right side, make a simple knot (figure 23), for the moment without tightening. Cross the inside of that simple knot with the left end and pass all the cord that is out of the bag. Finally, by tightening the initial knot a simple sliding knot is already made (figure 24).

Bag and cord coupling to the matrix structure:

First, the free end of the cord (3) is passed through the hole of the

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Claims (1)

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