GB2249249A - Rodent poison bait holder - Google Patents

Abstract

A rodent baiter comprises a free-standing unit containing a chamber (12) in which poison can be placed. A through-tube (14) extends parallel to the base (15) of the chamber (11) and an aperture (18) is formed in the tube (14) to enable rodents passing through the tube (14) to obtain access to the poison. The aperture (18) is surrounded by a lip (19) so as to minimise spillage of bait. <IMAGE>

Description

RODENT BAITER.

THIS INVENTION RELATES TO A DEVICE WHICH ENCOURAGES RODENTS TO ENTER A FEEDING CHAMBER IN WHICH A CAPTIVE SUPPLY OF POISON IS AVAILABLE.

In this period of time it seems strange to recall the 'Pied Piper of Hamlin',but statistics indicate that a modern version of the 'Pied Piper' is now just as necessary.

The rodent population is said to be increasing at an alarming rate - sitings are said to be proliferating in farm buildings, sewers and outhouses. The placing of 'rat poison' on morsels of bait can be effective in isolated cases but offer an element of danger to other animals and cannot be expected to cope with any large increase in numbers of rodents.

Not many persons will be happy about spreading rat poison at locations which would be likely to be a danger to their pets.

The largest increase in rodent sitings has been reported in the sewers throughout the country and this calls for the need for a safe and effective means of administering poison to exterminate the pests.

According to the present invention there is provided a Rodent BAITER which will contain a secure supply of poison which can be available to rodents,which are encouraged by scent to enter an open-ended chamber through a circular tube,in the centre of which would be access to the poison. The BAITER is weighted to prevent inadvertent dislodgement and the poison canister is effectively contained within a specially designed chamber to which access is not available, other than to those placing the BAITER.

RODENT BAITER.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only,with reference to the accompanying drawing in which : Figure 1 shows the BAITER in perspective view.

Figure 2 illustrates an internal and a sectional view of the BAITER.

Referring now to Figure l,the Rodent BAITER 10 comprises the chamber 11 in which the rodent poison is contained and is releasably captive beneath a tight-fitting lid 12. Both the lid and the chamber have lips 20 provided at the contact extremities to ensure security.

THe lid can be additionally secured by hasp and staple 13 as optional locking facility. The poison chamber 11 is entered from either end of an open-ended tube 14. This through-tube 14 is sealed prior to its placement with 'strip-off' adhesive covers,but it would be policy to transport the BAITER 10 to any site prior to filling the chamber with poison,which is contained in separate bait packs.

The through-tube 14 passes through the centre of the chamber 11, (see Fig: 2) near the flat base 15,but clear of this some specified distance. This implies and means that the through-tube 14 would be surrounded by the poison. Rigidly secured or bonded within the base 15 is a weight element 16 which gives the BAITER stability and prevents it being inadvertently disturbed from the placed position.The weight is indicated by the broken line in Figure 1.

A carrying handle 17 is provided to aid portability.

In the unused state the ends of the through-tube 14 can be sealed to avoid unwanted poisoning of other animals or pests.

The lid 12 is not easily removable and would need a determined effort to prise it clear of the chamber 11.

RODENT BAITER.

The tight fitting lid 12 surrounds the top of the circular shape of the chamber 11 to prevent the ingress of extraneous moisture or precipitation. To indicate to any observer the nature and purpose of the BAITER 10,it is clearly marked on the exterior surface of the chamber 11 with the word "POISON".

The construction of the BAITER 10 provides that the through-tube 14 is bonded to the walls of the chamber 11 to ensure that no leakage of the content of the said chamber can occur.It is a feature this through-tube 14 is circular in section to prevent rodents being able to knaw it through to get at the bait - the same applies to the shape of the chamber 11. This does not mean however,that the BAITER as described in this specification could not be made to any other shape in another embodiment.

Reference should now be made to Figure 2 which illustrates the internal view of the chamber 11 without the tight-fitting lid 12.

The through-tube 14 can be seen to be extending across the Chamber 11 and slightly above the bottom of the said chamber.Figure 2, view 2a,gives a section through the BAITER 10 to illustrate this feature more clearly. Any graphic representation of the aperture 18 through the through-tube 14 is difficult to illustrate as it is hidden from view. The aperture 18 is made through the lower periphery of the through-tube 14 and has an anti-spill lip 19 extending a short distance above the inner circumference of the through-tube 14. Very obviously this aperture 18 gives access to the poison bait and is available to the rodents who enter the through-tube 14. A 'cut-away' half view 2b indicates this feature.

RODENT BAITER.

It is known from experience that the frequency of attention required to the BAITER 10,once it has been filled with poison bait is very minimal - perhaps once each month,but this would depend more directly on the degree of infestation.

Similarly,the design of the BAITER 10 has established that it may be safely left in deep litter poultry houses without anxiety that poultry could be affected in any way.

The term rodent used in this specification includes rats,mice, and squirrels.

It can be seen then that the BAITER 10 provides a simple,safe and effective means of administering poison to rodents which is not expensive to manufacture and can be used repeatedly and in any site required.

There are no moving parts and rodents who are enticed by the bait to enter the through-tube 14 leave the Baiter to die elsewhere!

Claims (6)

1. CLAIMS FOR MU1TI-ROENT BAITER 1. Small feedin aperture in base of access pipe with lip located just above base to minimise spillage of bait if unit is dislodged or up turned.
2. 2. Lip around feeding aperture in access pipe to minimise spillage of bait outside the device whilst feeding.
3. 3. 2" diameter access pipe to prevent access to by non-target species such as hens, birds of prey, cats and dogs and entice access by mice, rats and squirrels.
4. 4. Large container for bait (up to 23keg) with gravity feed action to ive long periods between refills.
5. 5. Carrying handle to facilitate transportation.
6. 6. A rodent baiter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

   6. A circular weight restin on base of unit to minimise dislodgement and over-turning.

   7. Circular shape and thick plastic material to minimise damage arising from large animals stepping on device.

   8. Plastic material throughout to give weather resistant property.

   9. Circular and tough access pipe to prevent damage from rodent gnawing.

   AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS

   1. A rodent baiter comprising a free-standing unit containing a chamber in which poison can be placed, said unit having a flat base with a through tube, which is open at both ends, extending through the chamber parallel to and spaced upwardly from the base, the through tube being formed with an aperture facing downwardly towards the base such that, when the baiter is in use and the chamber is filled with poison, rodents passing through the tube can obtain access to the poison.

   2. A rodent baiter as claimed in Claim 1, in which a weight is attached to the base to improve the stability of the free-standing unit.

   3. A rodent baiter as claimed in either of the preceding claims, in which anti-spill means are provided adjacent the aperture in the tube to reduce the possibility of spillage of the poison.

   4. A rodent baiter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the chamber is of cylindrical form with its axis vertical.

   5. A rodent baiter as claimed in Claim 4, in which the tube is of circular cross-section.