MXPA03006502A

MXPA03006502A - Chemical agent delivery device and method of using same.

Info

Publication number: MXPA03006502A
Application number: MXPA03006502A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Tween Gordon
Original assignee: Internat Fly Masters Inc
Priority date: 2001-01-19
Filing date: 2002-01-22
Publication date: 2004-12-02
Also published as: WO2002060251A2; WO2002060251A3; AU2002248364A1

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed through which pesticides, vitamins, food, and other chemical agents can be delivered to a target in an efficient and safe manner. Chemical agent delivery is preferably achieved by encapsulating a desired chemical agent and causing the capsules to contact a target with sufficient force to cause the capsule to burst, delivering the chemical agent to the target. A pneumatic device, such as a paintball gun, is preferably used to deliver the capsule to the target. Capsules can be loaded into a magazine or other holding chamber and fired from the pneumatic device utilizing force from a compressed gas source contained in or attached to the pneumatic device. Alternatively, capsules can be delivered to targets by other means, including dropping the capsules from an aircraft. Capsules which contain gelatinous material including both an attractant and a pesticide can be used in accordance with the invention to create a bait station.

Description

DEVICE FOR SUPPLY OF CHEMICAL AGENT AND METHOD TO USE THE SAME This application claims the benefit of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application. Ñúméro Series 60 / 262,417, presented on 19 January 2000 by David Robirison, et al., The full description of which is incorporated by the present for reference in its entirety. This request refers to the Provisional Patent Application of E.U. Do not. 60 / 323,386, filed September 20, 2001 and the Provisional Patent Applications of E.U. No. 60/293, 175, presented on May 25, 2001, the full descriptions of which are incorporated herein for reference. This application includes material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to facsimile reproduction by any of the patent description, as it appears in the archives or records of the Office of the Trademarks and Patents, but otherwise reserves all author's rights on what happens.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to the field of chemical agent delivery devices, and, in particular, provides a device that can deliver pesticides to a target from a safe distance, by lighting the encapsulated pesticide on a target.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Insects, and the damage they cause, are a serious economic threat to vegetable and fruit farmers worldwide. For example, importing countries will block shipments of vegetables and fruits from certain exporting countries, rather than risk their phytosanitary status by importing foreign vegetables and fruits. One type of insect that is of most concern is the fruit fly. To date, there are more than 4,000 species of fruit flies around the world. The genus Anastrepha, found throughout the Americas, Florida and the Caribbean Islands, comprises approximately 180 species. Of these 1 80 species, 7 are known to have caused serious economic damage. Ceratitis Capatata, commonly known as Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Medfly), is the most widespread and harmful fruit fly in the world. The Medfly can currently be found in Guatemala and the Mexican states bordering Guatemála. If the Medfly reaches Oaxaca and / or Veracruz, it will have a corridor to the United States. Chemical agents that are toxic, noxious, or otherwise harmful to the Medflys are used in an effort to prevent Medfly from entering the United States, but such chemicals can also be highly toxic to human, livestock, veterinary, and agricultural farmers. other pest control experts who routinely use such chemicals, and beneficial animals, plants and insects that may also come into contact with chemicals. Some practitioners have appreciated the hazards faced by pest control experts when distributing and applying chemical agents, and there are inventions that attempt to limit unnecessary exposure to chemical agents. Some, such as those described in Pat. of E.Ü. No. 6, 105,878 for Robinson et al., Use land-based systems to deliver liquid pesticides as a spray, using an optimal drop size that reduces contamination to adjacent areas. Powdered or liquid chemical agents can also be sprayed from a helicopter or airplane. Although such means of supplying aerial chemical agents can cover large areas and treat widespread infestations, they have several disadvantages, including being subject to environmental effects and introducing chemical agents into areas where it is not proposed that such chemical agents should be present. These disadvantages, in turn, can result in high concentrations of chemical agents seeping into soil or groundwater and causing widespread, long-term ecological damage or harm to human or animal populations. Chemical agents can also be supplied through other means, such as bait stations. Bait stations can take various forms, but generally they work using the same basic principles. The bait stations are formed when a viscous or solid semi-liquid compound containing both an attractant and a chemical agent is placed in a location that is readily accessible to a pest, such as the Medfly. A plague is created, framed at the bait station by the attractant, and subsequently the chemical agent consumes or enters contact. Such contact with e | The chemical agent typically kills, neutralizes, or otherwise damages the pest, although the bait stations are sometimes covered with insect or animal repellents. For example, fruit farmers will typically build bait stations by wrapping or other fibrous material around the trunk of one or more trees in a burlap, and apply an attractant / pesticide compound to the fibrous material. The attractant attracts fruit flies, caterpillars, thrips, termites, beetles or other pests, and the pesticide typically kills the pest shortly after contact or ingestion. Although bait stations have some advantages over simple powders or sprays, they still have several disadvantages. For example, the chemical and attractant needs to be supplied periodically, which means that conventional bait stations can be located in a location that is accessible to the farmer or another pest control expert. This typically means that the bait stations are also accessible to other humans, as well as desirable or beneficial animals, plants or insects. These can lead to contact or handling with the bait stations, which can result in unintentional exposure to the chemical agents of the bait station. Although some chemical agents used in bait stations can only be lethal to a specific animal, plant or insect, chemical agents can still cause significant health problems in a desirable or beneficial animal, plant or insect when they come into contact with or accidentally ingest the chemical agent. In addition, the lethality of some chemical agents depends on the time of exposure, and repeated or extended exposure to some chemical agents, as may be experienced by a farmer, rancher, veterinarian, caretaker, or other pest control expert, may result in some chemical agents become lethal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention in its preferred embodiment provides a system and apparatus for dispensing pesticides, and methods using such an apparatus. According to one aspect of the present invention, one or more pesticides, such as an insecticide, germicide, fungicide, or herbicide, is encapsulated within a flexible container or container. Such a capsule will preferably be spherical in shape, and made of a biodegradable material, such as gelatin. The capsules can be lit from a pneumatic gun, similar to a conventional paintball gun. In the preferred embodiment, the capsule is filled with a gelatinous substance that includes both an attractant and a pesticide, and is ignited directly to a location such as a tree or a canyon wall, thereby creating a bait station. Alternatively, the capsule may be delivered in the proximity or anticipated path of the plague. In a preferred embodiment, the capsules used in the present invention will have a caliber size, or diameter, of more than 0.68 inches, preferably 0.73 inches. This size is preferred since it creates capsules that are too long to be lit by conventional paintball guns, thus reducing the likelihood that a pesticide, insect repellent, or other chemical agent may ignite unintentionally in an opponent during a period of time. Friendly paint ball game. In order to ignite such a capsule, an aspect of the present invention provides an encapsulated, pneumatic, modified chemical agent delivery device. In a preferred embodiment, such a device is comprised of several components, including a container capable of maintaining an encapsulated chemical agent in the mepes. A first cylindrical chamber, with a diameter greater than 0.68 inches, is operatively connected to the container, and at least one capsule can be transmitted from the container to the first cylindrical chamber in preparation for igniting the capsule. A source of compressed gas is operatively stored at one end of the first cylindrical chamber and, when a trigger or other mechanism for releasing compressed gas is pressed, the compressed gas is released from the source of compressed gas that causes the capsule to accelerate. . The capsule lowers into a second cylindrical chamber, or barrel, which also has a diameter greater than 0.68 inches, and which is operatively coupled to the first cylindrical chamber. The barrel and the first chamber can, alternatively, be portions of the same cylindrical chamber. After leaving the barrel, the capsule passes through the air or water and explodes to impact with a target. Although the ignition of the capsules from a pneumatic gun is currently preferred, alternative delivery techniques are also contemplated. By way of example, without attempting to limit the present invention, guns employing other means for accelerating a capsule before ejecting the capsule therefrom may be used. Such acceleration means include, but are not limited to, springs and other projectile, conventional acceleration means. Alternatively, one or more capsules may fall from the aircraft, allowing gravity to accelerate the capsules.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are included, to provide a further understanding of the invention and incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate the embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a gelatin capsule according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is a side elevation view of a pneumatic gun according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 is a side elevational view of a pneumatic gun and the reservoir of the gelatin capsule according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. A preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes a pneumatic device, similar to the Typhoon paintball gun manufactured by the Palmer Pursuit Shop of Sacramento, CA, to deliver chemical agents to a target. A pneumatic supply device is currently preferred due to the high reliability and ease of service associated with pneumatic systems. A gun or rifle shape is currently preferred due to the increased accuracy of such delivery devices. Preferred pneumatic devices can accelerate the capsules at speeds of 300 fps or more, allowing a farmer, veterinarian, rancher, or other pest control expert to deliver a chemical agent to a target from a safe distance. Although supply devices in the form of Ristol.a, tires are preferred, other delivery devices, including, but not limited to, handles, spring-loaded guns, and leaf-like devices, electromagnetic guns and other known acceleration means they may also be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the chemical agent is loaded into a capsule similar to a paintball capsule. The traditional paint ball capsules are round, with a diameter of approximately .68 inches, and are made of soft gelatin. Although gelatin is currently preferred, other capsule materials may be used, including, but not limited to, biodegradable materials, such as those made from plant fibers, and non-biodegradable capsule materials, such as thin plastics. Comp described above, preferred delivery devices must be capable of accelerating a capsule at a rate in excess of 300 fps when the capsule exits the gun. The speed of 300 fps is currently preferred since the traditional gelatin paint ball capsules can not withstand the accelerations necessary to increase the capsule's speed of exit. The use of alternative capsule materials can allow a supply device to ignite the capsules at even higher speeds, resulting in even greater supply distances. Currently it is preferred that the capsules are designed to explode on impact with a target, thus supplying the chemical agent to the target. However, an alternative embodiment uses a semi-permeable capsule material, allowing the chemical agent to filter out over time. Such material is described in the U.S. Provisional Patent Application. No. 60 / 323,386, filed September 20, 2001, the full description of which is incorporated herein by reference. A semi-permeable capsule material can be covered with a thin layer of a relatively impermeable, biodegradable material, such as, but not limited to, gelatin, thus allowing such capsules to be stored for longer periods of time. Through the present invention, a pest control expert can deliver a chemical agent to a target without needing to physically contact the target, and from a greater distance than is possible with a spray. In addition, because the chemical agent is encapsulated, the effects of environmental conditions on chemical agent supply can be mitigated, and chemical agents can be delivered more accurately than with conventional aerial distribution techniques. This also results in less chemical agent entering the ecosystem, and can reduce the total impact on soil and groundwater. The present invention can also be used to create or fill a bait station. By way of example, without attempting to limit the present invention, because the present invention can deliver chemical agents from a distance, the present invention can be used to place a bait station in a location that would otherwise be difficult to access on a regular basis. A capsule may be filled with a more cohesive gelatinous, liquid, powdered or viscous semi-liquid chemical agent which may include a combination of one or more attractants, pesticides, repellents, or other compounds, which may be subsequently delivered to a target upon ignition. capsule in the objective. Upon impact, the capsule explodes, thus supplying the chemical agent and creating or filling the bait station. The present invention may also obviate the need for dining stations attached to specific locations. This may be advantageous for migratory pests, such as some insects. By supplying a chemical agent at or near the location of a pest, the present invention obviates the need to place fixed bait stations in the path of the pest, and can result in significant time savings.

Because the present invention can deliver a chemical agent from a distance, the present invention can also assist in the remote application of topical medicines and insect repellents in domestic, wild or feral captive species, such as animals in zoos or animal reserves. hunting. In such a scenario, one or more capsules containing a desired insect repellent can be ignited in a cow, with capsules exploding on impact and supplying the insect repellent to the cow. Such an insect repellent provides methods that would obviate the need to physically treat each cow in a herd. In addition to its use as a means of supplying harmful chemical agents, the present invention can also provide bechemic chemical agents, such as vitamins, medicines, water, food and the like, to wild or feral animals. By way of example, without attempting to limit the present invention, the pneumatic delivery system of the present invention can apply a liquid powder, or a gelatinous topical medicine more cohesive to a vertebrate for absorption by the body or skin. In addition to supplying capsules associated with the present invention through ground-based delivery devices, the present invention further comprises a method for distributing capsules from an air vehicle. In the air vehicle mode, the capsules can be ejected from a device mounted on the aerial vehicle, such as a pneumatic supply device, or capsules can fall from the air vehicle, intended to explode with the impact with the desired objective or the ground . A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes igniting a 0.73 gauge gelatin capsule, similar to the capsule illustrated in Figure 1, on a target, thereby delivering a chemical agent stored within the capsule to the target. In this embodiment, the chemical agent in the capsule can be formulated for several purposes, including, but not limited to, attracting specific insects or animals through food chains or pheromones, stimulating feeding, acting as a killing agent, or combinations of the same. In addition, the mixture can be formulated to act as an attractant only of females, or an attractant only of males, or an attractant of males and females, and can only be attractive at a particular level of maturity. The chemical agent can have an impact on the plague when the chemical agent is consumed or comes into contact with the plague. Although the capsules are preferably made of biodegradable materials, such as gelatin, other capsule materials can be substituted without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. By way of example, without attempting to limit the present invention, the capsules may be made of relatively inert, low-caliber inert plastic when the chemical agent to be stored in the capsule may interact with other more preferable materials. In addition, a capsule can be made of material that contains, or can be coated with, a substance that makes the capsule unappetizing by giving the capsule an offensive taste or odor, thereby reducing the likelihood that the capsule will be accidentally ingested by an animal. which passes near the capsule. As the capsules are prepared, they can be marked or coded by color to identify the specific chemical agent formulation, target pest, use, expiration date, and the like contained therein. A semi-liquid, viscous chemical agent that is designed to control or eradicate a specific pest species or group of pests in the same family or genus is currently the preferred chemical agent modality. Although viscous semi-liquids are preferred, other chemical agents such as, but not limited to, solids, powders, liquids or gases, may be employed using the present invention. As will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, the components used in the capsule, its percentage or concentration, and its chemical / physical status will determine the effectiveness of the chemical agent. In addition, factors such as location of supply of chemical agents; population density of the plague; and type of host, and condition, can also impact the effectiveness of the chemical agent. In this way, to achieve the maximum results, the supply of the regulating chemical agent can be advantageous. The frequency of supply of the chemical agent can be determined based on a variety of factors, including the longevity of the chemical agent formulation, exposure to the elements, intensity of the plague, life cycle of the plague, and the like. A preferred chemotherapeutic agent modality uses capsules containing a chemical agent comprised of a blend of 74,093% Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) 400, 4,499% Glicoi of Polyethylene (PEG) 600, 2% glycerin, 3% water, 4.4% soluble AST, 12% anhydrous dextrose, and 0.008% spinosad. Such a water content is preferred because it does not prematurely dissolve a gelatin capsule. Such a formulation of the chemical agent can be useful for killing fruit flies, beetles and other insects. One alternative chemical agent modality uses a combination of SUCCCESS (GF 120 and a spinosad concentration of 80 ppm), manufactured by Dow Agri Sciences, and water. This insecticide can be used to treat plants under attack by fruit flies, beetles and other insects. Such a chemical agent can be obtained by making a gallon of SUCCESS with 1.5 gallons of water. In another embodiment, the capsules containing a mixture of 52 g of Naled, 10% (by weight) of Dibrom 14 EQ, Min - U - Gel, 23% (by weight) of Min - U - Gel 400 and 325 ml of Male Lure. 67% (by weight) of methyl eugenol can be used to combat aphids, ticks, mosquitoes and other insects. Alternative concentrations of Min-U-Gel can be used to achieve better results. In yet another embodiment, the capsules containing a mixture of Melathion, Technical Grade of 20% (by weight), Min-U-Gel, 13% (by weight) Min-U-Gel 400 and 325 ml of Male Lure. 67% (by weight) of methyl eugenol can be used against mosquitoes and other insects. Additional amounts of Min - U - Gel may be required to achieve better results. As the previous paragraphs indicate, capsules can be formulated to address several different types of invertebrate or vertebrate pest problems. The predetermined doses can be used as animal repellents for the control of vertebrate pests that attack growing plants, stored grains, or foods in large volume, and to establish territorial markers to deter or exclude certain species of invertebrates or vertebrates from approaching areas Target or guests of animals or plants. By way of example, without attempting to limit the present invention, fire ants can be repelled or eradicated through the use of the present invention by supplying capsules directly on or on ant mounds or directly on ant masses: Capsule delivery can achieved through a variety of medioá. In one embodiment, pneumatic delivery devices such as those illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, can deliver a capsule to a target. As Figures 2 and 3 illustrate, pneumatic delivery devices are preferably in the form of a gun, rifle or other firearm 10. Such a device should include a capsule that scales the area and barrel 40 capable of accommodating the formulation and Caliber of the capsule. In addition, a preferred pneumatic delivery system must accommodate a reservoir 20 capable of holding several capsules, which can be expelled individually or in groups under pressure from a source of compressed gas 30. A preferred pneumatic delivery device 10 comprises a pistol or rifle of the known type for ejection paint balls. In a preferred embodiment, the caliber of the rifle or gun barrel 40 and the capsule loaded therein differs from the calibres of the standard paintball to prevent the use of the capsules of the invention with standard paintball guns. Pesticide-bearing capsules can vary in size from 1.0 gauge to most agricultural applications, although larger-gauge capsules may also be useful. A gauge size of 0.73 inches is preferable, although any diameter longer than 0.68 inches is desirable such size exceeds the capacity of conventional paint ball guns. In addition, longer diameter capsules can supply a larger volume of chemical agents, thus reducing é | number of capsules needed to effectively treat a large area p large target population. Such a pneumatic supply system can ignite capsules in objectives, such as, but not limited to, bait stations, trees in an orchard or forest, crops in a field, individual pests, collections of pests, and individual or collections of beneficial animals or desirable Such a supply may be mounted to vehicles, including, but not limited to, a terrain vehicle, jeep, boat or airplane. Preferred capsules can explode on impact with a target, thus supplying the chemical agent to the target. Although the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. In this way, it is proposed that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention whenever they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A system for supplying a polyester to form a bait station, comprising: a ffexible material formed to create a spherical container; at least one pesticide and at least one attractant stored within said container; and, a pneumatic gun capable of igniting said container on a target, thereby supplying said poisid to said target. 2. The supply system of a, chemical people according to claim 1, characterized in that said flexible material is biodegradable. 3. The chemical agent supply system according to claim 2, characterized in that said flexible material is gelatin. 4. The chemical agent delivery system according to claim 1, characterized in that said spherical container has a diameter greater than 0.68 inches. 5. The chemical agent supply system according to claim 4, characterized in that said spherical container has a diameter of 0.73 inches. 6. A system for supplying a pesticide, comprising: a spherical gelatinous container with a larger diameter than 0. 68 inches; at least one pesticide stored inside said container; and, a pneumatic gun capable of igniting said container to a target. 7. An encapsulated, pneumatic chemical delivery device, comprising: a container capable of maintaining at least one encapsulated chemical agent; a first cylindrical chamber, with a diameter greater than 0.68 inches, operatively placed in said container and in which at least one encapsulated chemical agent can be charged for delivery to a target; a source of compressed gas operatively coupled to a first end of said first cylindrical chamber; a compressed gas release mechanism operatively coupled to said source of compressed gas; and, a second cylindrical chamber, of a diameter greater than 0.68 inches, operatively coupled to a second end of said first cylindrical chamber, and through which said encapsulated chemical agent passes before being delivered to a target. 8. The pneumatic encapsulated chemical agent delivery system according to claim 7, characterized in that said first cylindrical chamber and said second cylindrical chamber are portions of a common cylindrical chamber. 9. A chemical agent supply system, comprising: a flexible material formed to create a container; at least one harmful or beneficial chemical agent stored within said container; and, a delivery device capable of supplying said container to said objective, whereby said container is caused to explode on impact to supply said chemical agent to said objective in a localized manner. The chemical agent delivery system according to claim 9, characterized in that said flexible material comprises a biphegradable material. eleven . The chemical agent supply system according to claim 10, characterized in that said flexible material is gelatin. 12. The chemical agent delivery system according to claim 9, characterized in that said flexible material contains a substance that makes said flexible material unappetizing. The chemical agent delivery system according to claim 9, characterized in that said flexible material allows said chemical agent to be slowly released from said container. 14. The chemical agent supply system according to claim 13, characterized in that said flexible material is covered with a non-porous, biodegradable material. 15. The chemical agent supply system according to claim 9, characterized in that said chemical agent is a pesticide and plague attractant. 16. The chemical agent supply system according to claim 9, characterized in that said chemical agent is a pesticide. 17. The chemical agent supply system according to claim 9, characterized in that said chemical agent is a repellent of irisects. 18. The chemical agent delivery system according to claim 9, characterized in that said supply device is a pneumatic supply device. 19. The chemical agent delivery system according to claim 1 8, characterized in that said pneumatic supply device is a paintball gun. 20. The chemical agent supply system according to claim 19, characterized in that said paintball gun is capable of delivering packages of a size larger than 0.68 gauge. twenty-one . The chemical agent supply system according to claim 20, characterized in that said paintball gun is capable of supplying 0.73 caliber containers. 22. The chemical agent delivery system according to claim 9, characterized in that said delivery device is mounted to a vehicle. 23. The chemical agent delivery system according to claim 9, characterized in that said delivery device is an air vehicle from which said container is pulled. 24. A chemical agent delivery method, comprising: forming a container of a flexible material; filling said container with at least one chemical agent designed to be beneficial or harmful to an objective; seal said container; ejecting said container from a delivery device; and, causing that container to contact an objective. 25. A chemical agent delivery method, comprising: forming a package of a flexible material; filling said container with at least one chemical agent; seal said container; and throwing said container from a height sufficient to cause said container to explode on impact. 26. The chemical agent supply system according to claim 25, characterized in that said container is pulled from an air vehicle.