FR2916990A1 - METHOD OF DESTROYING INSECTS IN INACCESSIBLE LOCATIONS - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an aerosol dispensing device comprising a pressure vessel containing an insecticide product, the container comprising a container body and a propellant plug for diffusion of the product to the outside. This device is remarkable in that it comprises a fixing member for fixing the container near the region to be treated.

Description

The invention relates to a device for diffusing an insecticidal aerosol,

  in particular for the destruction of wasp nests or hornets, and a method of destroying such nests by means of such a device. Spraying aerosol insecticide, that is, fine airborne particles, is the most common method for destroying wasps and hornets nests. In certain situations, spraying the insecticide product near the nest is difficult, however, the nest can be housed in height or in natural or artificial cavities difficult to access, such as attics or ducts.

  EP 1 029 599 discloses an aerosol dispensing device comprising an aerosol can whose valve is connected to a flexible extension tube of great length. A telescopic rod supports the flexible tube and guide its free end to the region to be treated. Such a device has the disadvantage of being bulky and expensive. It is therefore reserved for professionals. In addition, it forces the operator to stay close to the nest to be treated, in order to support the telescopic rod. The operator must therefore protect himself from possible attacks by insects. There is therefore a need for an aerosol dispensing device allowing diffusion of the insecticide product in hard to reach places, while limiting the risk of puncture taken by the operator during treatment. An object of the invention is to satisfy this need. According to a first aspect, the invention provides an aerosol dispensing device comprising a container comprising a container body containing an insecticide product under pressure and a propellant plug having a diffusion valve for diffusion of the product to the outside. This device comprises a fixing member for fixing the container near the region to be treated. As will be seen in more detail in the following description, the operator can thus secure the container on an outside support near the region to be treated and does not need to remain close to the nest during treatment. Advantageously, the risks it takes are reduced. The device according to the invention is therefore perfectly adapted to the destruction of dangerous insects. The insecticide product may especially be an insecticide product capable of killing wasps and hornets. Preferably, it is prepared specifically for this purpose.

  The fixing member may have any shape provided that it allows, on its own or in cooperation with means for fixing the outer support, the attachment of the container. The fastener may in particular be chosen from a hook, a clamp, a magnet, a suction cup, a glue or adhesive paste, a flexible link such as a rope or wire, or combinations thereof. Preferably, the fastener is designed to be fixed and detached from the outside support without tools. Preferably, the fastener is a hook. Advantageously, a hook allows reliable attachment to a large number of external supports.

  The hook may in particular have a shape U, V or open d. The fixing member may be integral with the propellant plug or the body of the container, or be fixed thereon. Preferably, however, the device according to the invention comprises a support for fixing the fixing member on the body of the container or on the thruster plug, preferably on the body of the container. Preferably, the body of the container and / or the propeller cap on the one hand and the support on the other hand are shaped so as to allow longitudinal displacement and / or axial rotation of said support on the container and / or detachment of said support. Advantageously, the support can thus be placed on the container in a position well adapted to the environment in which the container is to be fixed. The diffusion device according to the invention can therefore be used in particularly small areas. In one embodiment of the invention, the fixing member and / or its support are removable, that is to say can be detached from the support or the container. Removability of the fastener relative to the container or its support and / or the removability of this support relative to the container allow a limited space of the diffusion device. Advantageously, the diffusion device can be packaged in a compact form facilitating marketing to the general public and easily stored. In a preferred embodiment, the support comprises a spring ring capable of pinching the body of the container or the propellant plug. Such a ring comprises two arms connected by their first ends and whose second ends, free, can move away elastically from one another to give access to an opening in which the body of the container or the thruster plug can be introduced in strength. The shape of the arms then allows them to pinch the body of the container or the throttle cap. Such a ring advantageously allows rapid assembly and disassembly, limited space, reliable connection and easy position modification.

  In one embodiment, the support is pierced with a through hole, said tongue hole, and the fastener comprises a tongue adapted to be introduced through this hole behind the support so as to sandwich the support. This tongue is oriented so that normal use of the fastener tends to maintain it in position behind said support. Preferably, this tongue has sufficient elasticity to press the fastener on the support. The fixing member may have a lug and the support comprise a lug hole, preferably through, for example of substantially complementary shape to that of the lug, the lug and the lug hole being arranged so that the lug does not enter this hole until the tongue has been fully pushed into the tongue hole. Conversely, the lug may be carried by the support and the lug hole to be formed in the fastener. Advantageously, the cooperation of the lug and the lug hole is opposed to an accidental extraction of the tongue out of the tongue hole, the lug must be previously out of the lug hole. The through hole and the orifice of the pin can be confused in the form of a single orifice. The thruster plug conventionally comprises a diffusion valve selectively for communicating or isolating the interior space of the container and the outside. In one embodiment of the invention, the thruster plug also comprises means able to lock said valve in the open position. The diffusion of the product can thus continue without the presence of the operator, which advantageously improves the comfort of use and reduces the risks. Preferably, these means are self-locking at least in certain positions, that is to say are maintained in a stable position in said positions. These positions preferably comprise at least the total opening position of the valve, or even one or more partial opening positions. These latter positions advantageously make it possible to adjust the diffusion rate.

  In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the thruster plug comprises a push button and a lever cooperating with the push button, the push button and the lever being shaped so that the operator can open or close the diffusion valve by pressure, generally axial, on the push-button or by rotation of the lever. Preferably, the lever is shaped so as to remain in a stable position at least in an open position where the valve is at least partially open. By simple rotation of the lever, diffusion of the product is thus possible, this diffusion extending in the absence of the operator when the operator has rotated the lever to this stable position. More preferably, the lever is shaped so as not to prevent pressure on the push button when in a closed position where the valve is closed. The operator can thus advantageously use the diffusion device according to the invention by conventionally pressing the push button.

  Preferably, the diffusion device further comprises an extension tube, an input of which is connected to an outlet orifice of the thruster plug. Advantageously, the insecticide product leaving the valve can thus be guided into the extension tube and escape outwardly only at the free end thereof. In addition, the diffusion device according to the invention being provided with a fixing member, it can be fixed near the region to be treated. The tube may thus advantageously have a reduced length, preferably less than one meter, or even less than 80 cm. A length of about 60 cm is well suited. The size and the cost of the broadcasting device are therefore reduced. In addition, the pressure drops are decreased, which allows a diffusion of the effective product, even with a limited propellant pressure. For practical reasons, however, it is preferable that the tube has a length greater than 20 cm, preferably greater than 40 cm. To facilitate the introduction of the extension tube to the region to be treated, this tube is preferably flexible, for example made of polyethylene, polyamide, Teflon, and preferably polyethylene. For the same reason, it is also preferable for its outside diameter to be less than 1 cm, preferably less than 0.7 cm. An outside diameter of about 5 mm is well suited.

  The tube may be attached to the outlet port of the propellant plug via an adapter, but, preferably, the outlet orifice has the shape of a substantially cylindrical nozzle on which the tube may be mounted. strength.

  More preferably, the tube has a plurality of ejection orifices, preferably all disposed at its free end, and, more preferably, oriented differently to produce a plurality of jets in different directions. Advantageously, the product can thus be diffused throughout the region to be treated, in a substantially homogeneous manner, which is particularly useful when the region to be treated is not accessible or the operator can not observe the exact positioning of the end. free of the extension tube relative to the nest. The presence of several ejection orifices also allows effective dissemination of the insecticide product, even when one or more of these orifices are closed or masked by an obstacle.

  In a particular embodiment, the free end of the tube is closed and the ejection orifices are oriented substantially radially, that is to say in directions passing through the axis of the tube. The ejection orifices can then extend in the same plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the tube. Preferably, however, they are oriented perpendicular to the tube, so that, during spraying, the cones of the jets do not exceed the free end of the tube and can go in all directions around the tube. The insecticide product can then advantageously come into contact with all the insects present. Advantageously, the jets are not disturbed by any obstacles located in front of the free end of the tube.

  Preferably, the ejection orifices are distributed substantially equiangularly at the periphery of the tube for optimum homogeneity of the diffusion.

  The invention also relates to a kit intended for the diffusion of an insecticidal aerosol comprising the constituent elements of a diffusion device according to the invention, the fastener being detached from the container and / or, where appropriate, from the support. and / or said support being detached from the container. By detached, we mean unassembled. The presentation in the form of a kit advantageously confers reduced compactness particularly useful for marketing the device for dissemination to the general public. In addition, this limits the manufacturing costs of this device. The fixing member and / or the support may be shaped so as to be removable after assembly or, conversely, be permanently fixed by the assembly. In one embodiment, the kit comprises a plurality of fasteners, for example a suction cup, a magnet, various types of hooks and / or clips, to allow adaptation of the fastener to the outside support available near the the region to be treated. The operator can thus use a suction cup to fix the container on a window or clamp to fix it on a beam, for example. Preferably, these different members are interchangeable, that is to say can be mounted on the same support. If the diffusion device is not disposable, the various fasteners are then preferably removable. More preferably, the kit includes instructions, preferably intended for the general public, for mounting the fastener on the container and / or, where appropriate, on the support and / or for mounting the support on the container, in particular on the container body.

  The invention finally relates to a method of destroying insects by means of a diffusion device according to the invention. According to the invention, this method comprises at least the following steps: a) if necessary, assembly of the different constituent elements of the diffusion device; b) fixing the container, by means of the fastener, near a region to be treated; c) actuation of the diffusion valve of the propellant cap so as to diffuse the product contained in said container; d) optionally, locking the valve in the open position.

  The destruction method according to the invention thus allows the operator to fix the diffusion device near the region to be treated, which avoids having to wear expensive technical equipment such as a telescopic rod. In addition, when the device is equipped with means for locking the valve of the thruster plug in the open position, the operator can move away from the region to be treated after opening the valve. This procedure limits the risks to the operator and allows slow release of the insecticide product in the absence of the operator. The comfort of use and the effectiveness of the treatment are thus improved. In step a), the operator can optionally choose from several available fasteners most suitable for external supports potentially used to secure the container. Between steps b) and c), the operator can introduce the free end of an extension tube in a narrow passage to the region to be treated. By narrow passage is meant a passage whose conformation would not allow effective diffusion of the product in the region to be treated in the absence of penetration of the extension tube. A narrow passage may be a passage of width less than 5 cm, or a passage having baffles. In a particular embodiment, such a passage is cleaned by drilling a hole adapted to the diameter of the extension tube, this hole placing in communication the region to be treated and the outside. The hole may in particular have a diameter of less than 10 mm. The destruction method according to the invention is thus particularly suitable when the operator can not see or access the nest of insects to be destroyed. This is particularly the case when the region to be treated is located in attics, in a chimney, in a sub-slope, in a technical duct, in a false ceiling, in a chest of a blind or shutter rolling, in a wall or partition, in insulation material, in the ground or in a tree.

  Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from reading the detailed description which follows and the examination of the drawing, provided by way of illustrative and non-limiting example. In this drawing, - Figure 1 shows a diffusion device according to the invention in the service position; - Figure 2 shows a support and a fastener of a device according to the invention, intended to be assembled; - Figure 3 shows this fixing member and the support in an assembled position, in cross section; FIGS. 4a to 4d represent different stages for the implementation of a diffusion device according to the invention; FIGS. 5 and 6 show schematically, in front view and from above, an actuating device of a propellant plug of a diffusion device according to the invention.

  In the present description, there is a support for fixing the fixing member on the container and the outer support, close to the region to be treated, on which the diffusion device according to the invention is fixed by means of of the fastener.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the diffusion device according to the invention conventionally comprises a container 10 containing an insecticide product to be sprayed under the pressure of a propellant gas.

  The container 10 comprises a container body 12 generally made of steel or aluminum. The volume of the container is adapted to the amount of insecticide product necessary for the insecticide treatment, in particular adapted for the treatment of at least one nest of wasps or hornets, including a single nest of wasps or hornets. A volume of between 0.5 and 2 liters, preferably about 1 liter, is suitable. The pressure inside the container 10 is typically between 4 and 5 bar. A propellant plug 14, for example made of plastic material, closes the container body 12. The propellant plug 14 may for example be crimped onto the body of the container.

  The propellant plug 14 conventionally comprises a diffusion valve opening, through a nozzle 15 (see FIG. 5), into an internal channel bent by a push button 16. This internal channel opens at the opposite end by a nozzle 18 At rest, in the usual way, the push-button 16 is held elastically, by a not shown spring, in a high position corresponding to a closed position of the diffusion valve. The low position of the push button corresponds to an open position of the diffusion valve. The nozzle 18 is inserted into the first end 19 of a flexible extension tube 20, the free second end 21 of the tube 20 being pierced with three orifices oriented radially and distributed substantially equiangularly over an outside diameter of the tube 20.

  A protective cap, not shown, may also be provided to protect the throttle plug.

  According to the invention, the diffusion device shown also comprises a support 22 and a fastener 24. As shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, the support 22 has the shape of a spring ring constituted by two arms 26 and 28 connected by a substantially flat base 30 pierced with an orifice 32. The shape of the arms 26 and 28 is preferably substantially complementary to the cross section of the container body so as to ensure a close contact between the spring ring and this lateral surface. In particular when the body of the container has a substantially circular section, the spring ring may have an omega S2 section facilitating the introduction of the body of the container between the arms 26 and 28 while ensuring a large contact area between these arms and the surface side of the container body.

  The hook 24 has, in cross-section, the shape of an open-loop d, as shown in cross-section in FIG. 3. The hook 24 has a flat base 36 intended to be contiguous and fixed to the base 30 of the ring. spring, and a hook portion 37, as shown in Figure 3. The base 36 carries a tongue 38 and a lug 40, optionally in the form of a tongue, that the operator successively introduced into the hole 32 of the base of the spring ring. The tongue 38 provides a plating of the base 36 on the base 30. The tongue 38 is shaped to extend at least partly on the side of the base 30 opposite the hook portion 37. More preferably, it is shaped to elastically gripping the base 30 in cooperation with the base 36. The lug 40 can enter the hole 32 after the tongue 38 has been pushed fully. After penetrating into the orifice 32, the lug 40 opposes a sliding of the base 36 of the hook 24 on the base 30 of the spring ring, and therefore to an outlet of the tongue 38 through the orifice 32. The hook 24 can therefore no longer be removed from the spring ring until the pin 40 has been removed from the orifice 32. The risk of accidental unhooking of the hook is thus eliminated. Preferably, after assembly, the base 41 of the tongue 38 and the lug 40 are in contact with the lower and upper edges, respectively, of the orifice 32, as shown in FIG. 3. The holding of the hook 24 on the spring ring is improved.

  Preferably, the hook portion 37 has an elasticity that makes it easy to modify the degree of opening of the hook and thus facilitates the hooking on various supports, and generally with a pinch effect.

  In the embodiment shown (Figures 5 and 6), the thruster plug 14 is further equipped with a lever 60 for blocking the push button 16 in the low position. For this purpose, the lever 60 is rotatable about a geometric axis X, substantially perpendicular to the direction Y of translation of the pushbutton 16, between a closed position in which it exerts substantially no pressure on the button. pushbutton, the latter being in the up position and the diffusion valve being closed (unless the operator presses the push button directly), and an open position in which it exerts a pressure on the pushbutton sufficient for the latter in the low position, the diffusion valve then being at least partly open.

  Preferably, the lever 60 is shaped to be stable at least in said open and closed positions. By simple rotation of the lever 60, diffusion of the product is thus possible, this diffusion extending in the absence of the operator when the operator has rotated the lever to the open position. The lever 60 can be articulated on pins 64 and 66 carried by lugs 68 and 70, respectively, integral with a mounting ring 72 fixed to the upper end of the container body 12. The lever 60 has a surface of cam 74 cooperating with a surface 76, preferably annular, connecting a substantially cylindrical upper actuating portion 16 ', and a lower part 16 ", also substantially cylindrical but of a larger diameter than the upper part 16', of pushbutton 16. The surface 76 may in particular extend substantially perpendicular to the Y direction. The cam 74 and annular surfaces 76 are shaped so that the rotation R of the lever 60 leads to a stable position in which the button the push-button 16 is sufficiently depressed to open the valve, and preferably the lever 60 is shaped so as not to prevent pressure on the push-button 16 when it is in the closed position. As shown in FIG. 6, the lever 16 may for example comprise two branches 77 and 78 articulated on the axes 64 and 66, respectively, and sufficiently spaced apart from each other to allow the passage of the upper portion 16 'of the push button 16, while leaning, via the cam surface 74, on the surface 76 of the lower part 16 ".The operator can thus advantageously use the diffusion device according to the invention in typically pressing the push button, without being bothered by the presence of the lever 60.

  To process a region by means of the broadcasting device which has just been described, the operator can proceed as follows. If the diffusion device has been delivered in the form of a kit, the operator assembles the hook 24 with its support 28, in this case with the spring ring, and then fixes the support 28 on the body of the container 12 (FIG. ). It forces the first end 19 of the extension tube 20 into the nozzle 18. The operator fixes the diffusion device near the region to be treated by means of the hook 24, for example to another hook C (FIG. 4b).

  The operator then searches for a passage to access the region to be treated by means of the extension tube 20. If necessary, for example to pass through a partition or a wall as shown in FIG. 1 or through a ceiling as shown in FIG. Figure 4c, the operator pierces an access hole. He then introduces the extension tube 20 into the access hole and pushes it until its free end 21 is located in the region to be treated (Figure 4d). After possibly agitating the container, it then rotates the lever 60 about the axes 64 and 66 (movement R in Figure 5), which causes, as explained above, a translation T of the pushbutton 16 to the container body 12 and, by pushing the pushbutton 16 on the nozzle 15, an opening of the diffusion valve. Therefore, a mixture M of the insecticide product and the propellant gas escapes from the container body through the nozzle 15, the pushbutton 16 and the extension tube 20. At the free end 19, it escapes through the orifices. of distribution. The operator continues the rotation of the lever 60 to its open position in which the lever 60 is stable. The operator can then leave the premises, the insecticide product continuing to escape. Advantageously, the treatment time lasts several minutes, or even more than 10 minutes, or even more than 15 minutes. The effectiveness is increased, insects absent at the beginning of the diffusion being able to penetrate in the treated area during the treatment.

  As now clearly apparent, the invention provides a solution for safely, efficiently and conveniently, at low cost, inaccessible or hard to access regions. Of course, the invention is not limited to only the embodiments 5 described and shown. In particular, the invention extends to the destruction of other insects than wasps and hornets.

Claims (15)

  An aerosol dispensing device comprising a container (10), the container comprising a container body (12) containing a pressurized insecticidal product and a propellant plug (14) having a diffusion valve and allowing diffusion of the product outward, characterized in that it comprises a fixing member (24) for fixing the container (10) near the region to be treated.   2. Device according to claim 1, the fastener (24) being selected from a hook, a clamp, a magnet, a suction cup, a glue or an adhesive paste, a flexible link such as a rope or wire, or combinations of these.   3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a support (22) for fixing the fastener (24) on the body of the container (12) or on the propellant plug (14).   4. Device according to the preceding claim, the body of the container (12) and / or the propellant plug (14) on the one hand and the support (24) on the other hand being shaped so as to allow longitudinal displacement and / or axial rotation of said support on the container and / or detachment of said support.   5. Device according to any one of the two immediately preceding claims, the support (22) having a spring ring capable of pinching the body of the container.   6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the thruster plug (14) comprising means (60) adapted to block said diffusion valve in the open position.   7. Device according to the preceding claim, the thruster comprising - a pushbutton (16) anda lever (60) cooperating with the pushbutton (16) and shaped so as to remain in a stable position at least in an open position where the diffusion valve is at least partially open, the push-button (16) and the lever (60) being shaped so that an operator can open or close the diffusion valve by pressing on the push-button or by rotation lever (60).   8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the insecticide product being an insecticide capable of killing wasps and hornets.   9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a flexible extension tube (20) of a length less than one meter and an inlet (19) is connected to an outlet of said thruster plug.   10.Dispositif according to the preceding claim, the extension tube (20) having a plurality of ejection orifices.   11.Kit intended for the diffusion of an insecticidal aerosol comprising the constituent elements of a device according to any one of the preceding claims, the fastener (24) being detached from the container (10) and / or, the case the support (22), and / or said support, if any, being detached from the container.   12.Kit according to the preceding claim comprising instructions for mounting the fastener (24) on the container (10) and / or, where appropriate, on the support (22) and / or for mounting the support (22) on the container (10).   13.A method of destroying insects by means of a diffusion device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising the steps of: a) if necessary, assembly of the various constituent elements of the diffusion device; b) fixing the container, by means of the fastener, near a region to be treated; c) actuation of the diffusion valve of the propellant cap so as to diffuse the product contained in said container; d) optionally, locking the valve in the open position.   14.Procédé according to the preceding claim wherein, after step b) and before step c), is introduced a free end (21) of an extension tube (20) in a passage of width less than 5 cm to the region to be treated.   15.Procédé according to any one of the two immediately preceding claims, the region to be treated being located in attic, in a chimney, in a loft, in a technical sheath, in a false ceiling, in a chest of a blind or a shutter, in a wall or partition, in insulation material, in the ground, or in a tree.