FR2865893A1 - Bee smoker device for use by beekeeper, has container connected to box containing compressor that includes rechargeable storage battery and turbine which communicates with container through air passage - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a metallic container (1) surmounted with a conical shaped cover (10), where an opening (11) is provided at the top end of the cover. The container is connected to a box (2) containing a compressor (3) that includes a turbine (30) and a rechargeable storage battery (31). The turbine communicates with the container through an air passage. The box includes a handle (21) for transporting and handling the device.

Description

The present invention relates to a smoker device for smoking

the bees.

  To enable him to work on a hive, the beekeeper is obliged to hunt the bees by smoking them.

  It uses for this a smoker device which comprises in the traditional way on the one hand a metal container surmounted by a lid of spherical or conical shape provided with an eccentric opening, and closing a basket support embers; and on the other hand, attached to said container and communicating with it via a conduit, means for producing an air flow consisting of a manually operable bellows to allow to stir the embers and cause the release of smoke.

  These smoker devices have many disadvantages. Indeed, in addition to the burns caused by the metal container which is very close to the hand that actuates the bellows, and the joint problems related to the actuation of the bellows, these devices are not very effective in terms of Smoke production from the bridge of view quality and quantity. It can happen that the increased actuation of the bellows in order to quickly obtain a large amount of smoke, results in the production of a hot smoke harmful to the bees.

  To overcome this drawback, it has been proposed in document FR 2.657. For example, to cool the smoke by adding a cold air flow. Such a device is relatively complex and does not solve the problems of hard work.

  The object of the present invention is to propose a smoker device 30 making it possible to remedy all the aforementioned drawbacks.

  Thus, the smoker device according to the invention is of the type comprising a metal container surmounted by a lid of spherical or conical shape provided with an opening, intended to contain the material to be burned and with which communicates, via a duct, means for producing an air flow, and it is essentially characterized in that said means for producing an air flow consists of a compressor equipped with an electrically operated turbine.

  The compressor makes it possible to provide a regulated flow of air permitting the control of smoke production, which is more homogeneous.

  According to an additional feature of the device according to the invention, the compressor is disposed in a box joined and secured to the container.

  According to another additional feature of the device according to the invention, the box is equipped with a handle for carrying and handling, said handle carrying a compressor control switch.

  According to another additional feature of the device 15 according to the invention, the compressor control switch is of the push type.

  According to another additional characteristic of the device according to the invention, the duct allowing the transfer of the air flow is made in two non-contiguous abutment parts.

  This configuration avoids heat conduction to the compressor, which may be at least partly made of plastic.

  The advantages and characteristics of the device according to the invention will emerge more clearly from the description which follows and which refers to the appended drawing, which represents a non-limiting embodiment thereof.

  In the accompanying drawing the single figure shows a schematic view of the smoker device according to the invention.

  In this figure we can see that a smoker device according to the invention conventionally comprises a container 1 made of sheet metal, intended to contain the material to be consumed for the production of smoke, surmounted by a cover 10 of substantially conical shape and provided at the upper end with an opening 11. It will be noted that the material to be consumed can be deposited in a support basket, not shown, the loading of the latter can be done from above after removal of the lid 10, or from below when the container 1 is suitably configured.

  The container 1 is joined and secured to a box 2 enclosing a compressor 3 comprising a turbine 30 and a rechargeable electric accumulator 31. The turbine 30 communicates with the interior of the container 1, via a conduit 20.

  The conduit 20 may consist of two pipes arranged in the extension of one another, at a short distance from each other, for the conduction of heat without generating a weakening of the breath.

  The casing 2 is externally equipped with a handle 21 for carrying and handling the smoker device.

  The turbine 30 is started up by means of a push-button switch 22, which can be triggered for example, that is to say, which must be kept depressed for the turbine 30 to operate.

  The smoker device according to the invention has many advantages over existing devices.

  The compressor makes it possible to obtain a controlled flow of air, and regular if it is necessary.

  With this smoker device, the beekeeper is not likely to burn himself, and no longer has to provide compelling and, in the long run, traumatic efforts.

  Moreover, the power of the turbine can make it possible to smoke a hive from a more remote position than usual with a conventional smoker device, which allows anticipation of bee reactions and therefore easier management of their aggressiveness.

  From the manufacturing point of view, the compressor can consist of a commercial compressor, such as those used for inflating mattresses or inflatable boats.

  It should be noted that such a smoker device can also, and advantageously, be used for the destruction of wasps nests and hornets, because the smoke produced can reach places little or not accessible in normal times.

  It goes without saying that the present invention can not be limited to the foregoing description of one of its embodiments, may undergo some modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (5)

  1) Smoker device for smoking bees, of the type comprising a metal container (1) surmounted by a lid (10) of spherical or conical shape provided with an opening (11) intended to contain the material to be burned and with which communicates, via a conduit (20), means for producing an air flow, characterized in that said means for producing an air flow consists of a compressor (3) equipped with a turbine (30) operating electrically.   2) Smoker device according to claim 1, characterized in that the compressor (3) is disposed in a box (2) attached and secured to the container (1).   3) Smoker device according to claim 2, characterized in that the box (2) is equipped with a handle (21) for its carrying and handling, said handle (21) carrying a switch (22) for controlling the compressor (3).   4) Smoker device according to claim 3, characterized in that the switch (22) for controlling the compressor (3) is of the push type.   5) A smoker device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conduit (20) for the transfer of the air flow is made of two non-contiguous abutments.