NL2004325C2

NL2004325C2 - Arrangement for housing items for extermination of pest animals.

Info

Publication number: NL2004325C2
Application number: NL2004325A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Richard Alexander Mars
Original assignee: Mars Inc
Priority date: 2010-03-02
Filing date: 2010-03-02
Publication date: 2011-09-06

Description

ARRANGEMENT FOR HOUSING ITEMS FOR EXTERMINATION OF PEST ANIMALS FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of arrangements for housing items for extermination of 5 pest animals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

US 6,397,517 discloses a bait station configured to receive a rodent destructive 10 element, for example rodent bait blocks or mechanical rodent traps - or both. The bait station comprises a passageway accessible via holes in the bait station and a blind passageway for receiving a mechanical trap, the blind passageway intersecting perpendicularly with the passageway. Bait may be provided at either side of the blind passageway. The mechanical trap may be placed in the blind passageway or partly in 15 the blind passageway and partly in the passageway accessible by the holes. This means that the mechanical trap is readily accessible from the holes in the outside of the box.

US 6,266,917 discloses a pest control article comprising a first container for receiving 2 0 pest control devices like (poisoned) bait and traps. The first container is topped with a second container comprising plants. Rodents are envisaged to enter the first container via holds in the sidewalls of the first container. The pest control articles are directly available through the holes, without a passageway of any kind.

2 5 The issue with both pest control boxes, primarily intended to trap and/or poison rodents, is that the mechanical traps are easily accessible from the outside of the box. Though a mechanical trap may in this way be easily accessible for a rodent like a mouse or a rat, this is a dangerous situation. If rats and mice can be quickly and easily be caught in the mechanical trap, so can fingers and hands of small children like babies and toddlers, 30 but also the paws and legs or pets. Pest control devices are not only used in industrial environments, but also in homes and for example pet shops.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

35 Therefore, a safer trap would be preferred.

2

The invention provides an arrangement for housing items for extermination of pest animals comprising: a body comprising a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls; a lid for closing the body; at least first opening in a first sidewall giving access to a first 5 passageway; a second blind passageway for receiving a first mechanical trap for trapping the pest animals, the second blind passageway being accessible from the first passageway; the second blind passageway being positioned at a first angle of less than 90° in relation to a first portion of the first passageway between the opening and the second blind passageway.

10

By making the angle between the first passageway and the second blind passageway smaller than 90°, the entry to the second blind passageway points away from the opening, which is in that way more difficult accessible for children and curious pets -and therefore safer.

15

An embodiment of the arrangement according to invention comprises a bait receiving unit for receiving bait for attracting the pest animals, the bait receiving unit being accessible from the first passageway.

2 0 A mechanical trap is preferably used in conjunction with bait to attract pest animals. Without bait, the odds of for example rodent getting lured to and trapped in a mechanical trap are less.

In another embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the bait receiving 25 unit and the second blind passageway are located relative to one another such that the bait receiving unit is freely accessible when second blind passageway has received the mechanical trap.

This embodiment is particularly advantageous when poisonous bait is being used. A 30 rodent may stay away from a trap for various reasons - like suspicion - but still eat from the poisonous bait. So if a first type of rodent extermination device does not work, the other may work.

In yet another embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the bait 35 receiving unit is located such that is freely accessible when second blind passageway has received the mechanical trap and a pest animal is trapped by the mechanical trap.

3

Save certain exceptions, a mechanical trap can go off only once. After the trap has gone off, the pest animal has to be removed and the trap has to be triggered again. In the meantime, the trap is not operational. By making the bait available and accessible to pest animals even when another pest animal is trapped in the mechanical trap, the trap 5 has a double and in particular continuous functionality. This means that the trap is effective for a longer period.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

10 The invention and embodiments thereof will now be further elucidated by means of figures. In the figures,

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a rodent extermination box;

Figure 2 A shows a top view of a rodent extermination box; 15 Figure 2 B shows a top view of another rodent extermination box; and

Figure 3 shows a top view of a further rodent extermination box.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

2 0 Figure 1 shows a rodent extermination box 100 as an embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention. The rodent extermination box 100 comprises a body defined by a bottom wall 102, a first sidewall 106, a second sidewall 108, a third sidewall 104, a fourth sidewall 110, a fifth sidewall 112 and a sixth sidewall 114. Alternatively, the fourth sidewall 110, the fifth sidewall 112 and the sixth sidewall 114 are formed as one curved 25 wall. In yet another alternative embodiment, the fifth sidewall 112 and the sixth sidewall 114 are omitted and the first sidewall 106, the second sidewall 108 and the fourth sidewall 110 are elongated to make the wall meet thus forming the body of the box 100.

At the top side of the box 100, a lid 101 is provided having substantially the same shape 30 and dimensions as the bottom wall 102. The lid 101 is preferably attached to the box 100 by means of a hinge along the third sidewall 104. Alternatively, the lid 101 is domeshaped. The shape of the dome may be circular, parabolic, elliptical, hyperbolic or differently curved or a combination of the foregoing. This includes a semi-continuous curvature established by multiple substantially straight surfaces to approach a curved 35 dome shaped, either combined with curved surfaces or not. In this case, the lid 101 has not the exactly the same shape as the bottom wall, but it still has a similarly shaped circumference. The advantage of a dome-shaped lid is that water, snow and ice flow 4 and/or slide from the lid of the box, which has an advantage that when opening the box, as least less water (either liquid or solid) or no water can will enter the inside of the box, thus keeping bait dry.

5 An additional advantage of a dome-shaped lid is that when a rat has a meal, he will sit straight up like squirrel. When the top side is dome-shaped, the rat has more vertical room and therefore more comfort while eating. This will be more inviting for a rat to enter the box 100 for eating, in particular for eating any type of bait that may be present in the box 100.

10

Within the box 100, a first passageway 180 is provided, comprising a first passageway portion 120 and a second passageway portion 130. The first passageway portion 120 is defined by the first sidewall 106, the third sidewall 104 and a first inner wall 122. The second passageway portion 130 is provided in line with the first passageway portion 15 120 and defined by the second sidewall 108, the third sidewall 104 and a second inner wall 132. Within the body of the box 100, where the first inner wall 122 and the second inner wall 132 have ended, the first passageway 180 continues from the first passageway portion 120 to the second passageway portion 130. The first passageway 180 is accessible by a first hole 172 provided in the first sidewall 106 and a second hole 2 0 174 provided in the second sidewall 108. In this embodiment, the first hole 172 is provided in line with the first passageway 180.

Within the box 100, a first trap area 140 is provided as a second passageway, being a blind passageway. The first trap area 140 is defined by a third inner wall 142, the fifth 25 sidewall 112 and a fourth inner wall 144. The first trap area 140 is arranged to receive a mechanical trap for trapping rodents. Mechanical rodent traps usually comprise a base, a striker pivotally connected to the base and loaded by a spring to close the strap when a trigger is actuated. The trigger is arranged to be actuated by a rodent stepping on a trigger or by a rodent removing bait from the trap, or otherwise, depending on the 3 0 architecture of the trap.

A widely known trap of this type is know with a wooden base and a striker and trigger formed by a metal wire, though other traps of this type in plastic or metal are commercially available as well, like the Trapper® T-Rex Rat Trap. It is noted that also 35 electrical traps can be used, wherein a pest animal like a rodent can be electrocuted. Additionally or alternatively, traps can be used wherein a pest animal is caught alive and confined in a (very) small space. Within this perspective, the term of "trapping" animals 5 includes, but is not limited to catching, killing, binding or confining animals in a small space. Killing in this sense means instantly killing or nearly instantly killing animals, as opposed to poisoning animals which takes over hours, days and in certain cases over weeks to kill animals.

5

In the rodent extermination box 100, an additional second trap area 150 is provided as a third passageway, being a blind passageway. The second trap area 150 is defined by a fifth inner wall 152, a sixth inner wall 154 and the sixth sidewall 114. The second trap area 150 is arranged to receive a mechanical trap fortrapping rodents.

10

Usually, it is difficult or even impossible to properly inspect the inside of the box 100 with the lid 101 closed to verify whether a trap went off or not. Therefore, the lid 101 is optionally provided with a first slit 182 and a second slit 184 above the first trap area 140 and the second trap area 150, respectively, for inspecting traps placed in the trap 15 areas.

In the middle of the box 100, a bait receiving area 160 is provided for receiving bait. The bait receiving area 160 is defined by the fourth sidewall 110, a seventh inner wall 162, an eight inner wall 164 and a ninth inner wall 166. Whereas the first through the eighth 2 0 inner wall have a height that is substantially the same as the distance between the bottom wall 102 and the lid 101 of the box 100 when the lid 101 is placed on the box 100 to prevent rodents from climbing over those inner walls, the ninth inner wall 166 does not reach to the lid 101 of the box 100 to enable rodents to access the bait receiving area 160.

25

Alternatively, the ninth inner wall 166 may be omitted to enable better access to the bait receiving area 160. The ninth inner wall 166 is provided to protect any bait placed in the bait receiving area 160 from moisture and other materials that may pollute or otherwise degrade the quality of the bait. Degradation of the bait decreases the odds of the bait 30 attracting rodents.

Bait may be provided in various ways. The bait may be provided as blocks, placed on rods 168 provided in the bait receiving area 160. To facilitate placement on the rods 168, the bait blocks are provided with a hole in the middle. Such bait blocks are widely 35 commercially available. Alternatively, the rods 168 or other bait fastening means or bait holding means are provided on the lid 101 of the box 100, at the location of the bait receiving area 160. Other bait fastening means or bait holding means can be hooks, 6 clips, adhesives, nails, screws or otherwise threaded projections or rods and the like. This alternative is particularly practical in preventing bait blocks from touching the bottom wall 102, preventing degradation of the bait blocks. In particular in this case, the ninth inner wall 166 may be omitted.

5

Bait can also be provided in grains. In case bait in the form of grains is used, the ninth inner wall 166 provides, together with other walls defining the bait receiving area 160, a container for holding the grains.

10 Various types of bait may be used. As already discussed, the bait can be provided as blocks or grains, though other shapes may be used as well. The bait can be poisonous or non-poisonous, depending on requirements defined by the hygiene standards where the box 100 is used for rodent extermination. Not only the hygiene standard applicable to a certain space can be decisive for the type of rodent bait used. Also other factors 15 can play a role. Use of poisonous or otherwise toxic rodenticides are not preferred in areas where children play, either inside or outside buildings.

The poison used may be any of known rodenticides like anticoagulants (coumarins, indandiones or other), metal phosphides (e.g. zinc phosphide), hypercalcemia, others or 2 0 combinations thereof.

The areas between the meeting inner walls, for example between the first inner wall 122 and the third inner wall 142, may either be solid or open. A solid nature is not preferred, in view of weight and material cost of the box 100. If the areas between the meeting 25 inner walls - also the areas between the passageways - are open, they may be open from either the lower side or from the upper side. If the areas between the passageways are open at the bottom of the box 100, open areas exist in the bottom wall 102 and/or in the sidewall or sidewalls adjacent to that area. These open areas may serve as grips or handles for convenient handling of the box 100.

30

Whether the areas between the passageways are open from the top, the bottom or the side or a combination thereof, is also a question of design of the box and the mould for making the box 100, in particular if the box 100 is produced in plastic using a mould.

35 Figure 2 A shows a top view of the box 100 with the lid 101 removed. The bait receiving area 160 is placed between the first trap area 140 and the second trap area 150. The bait receiving area 160 is preferably relatively broad compared to the first trap area 140 7 and the second trap area 150. When a rodent is trapped in a trap located in the first trap area 140 and the second trap area 150 - or both have a rodent trapped in it -the bait receiving area 160 is still accessible from the first passageway 180, if broad enough. With the bait receiving area 160 still being accessible if both traps have rodents 5 caught in it, it is still possible to exterminate rodents by letting them eat poisoned bait.

Alternatively, the first trap receiving area 140 and the second trap receiving area 150 are provided as relatively deep or long blind passageways. In that case, any rodents trapped in traps placed in the trap receiving areas or the traps itself placed in the trap 10 receiving areas can be trapped deep in the blind passageways, forming in that way no obstacle to any rodent foraging or eating from bait supplied in the bait receiving area 160. In such case, the bait receiving area does not necessarily have to be relatively wide, though it may still be provided as such to contain ample amounts of bait.

15 From Figure 2 A, it is well visible that the blind second passageway forming the first trap area 140 has an angle with the first passageway portion 120 that is less than 90°, which angle is indicated by a first arrow 210. Preferably, the angle is between 30° and 60° and in particular between 40° and 50°. A particularly preferred angle is 45°. In this embodiment, the angle between the blind second passageway forming the first trap 2 0 area 140 and the first passageway portion 120 is the same as the angle between the first inner wall 122 and the third inner wall 142.

Similarly, the blind third passageway forming the second trap area 150 has an angle with the second passageway portion 130 that is less than 90°, which angle is indicated 25 by a second arrow 220. Preferably, the angle is between 30° and 60° and in particular between 40° and 50°. A particularly preferred angle is 45°. In this embodiment, the angle between the blind third passageway forming the second trap area 150 and the second passageway portion 130 is the same as the angle between the second inner wall 132 and the fifth inner wall 152.

30

With the angle between the blind second passageway forming the first trap area 140 and the first passageway portion 120 being less than 90°, the risk of children, in particular babies and toddlers, and pets like cats and dogs triggering a trap located in the first trap area 140 and subsequently having their hands or paws trapped in a trap is 35 significantly reduced. This is important, as having hands or paws trapped in a trap may results in serious injuries. The risk is reduced by decreasing the angle between the blind 8 second passageway forming the first trap area 140 and the first passageway portion 120, making the first trap area 140 more difficult to reach from the first hole 172.

However, with the angle being 0° or close thereto, the odds of rodents entering the first 5 trap area 140 or getting close enough to the first trap area 140 to get caught is reduced as well. Therefore, as already discussed, the angle is preferably between 30° and 60° and in particular between 40° and 50°. A particularly preferred angle is 45°.

Figure 2 B shows a top view of the box 100 with a variation compared to the top view 10 shown by Figure 2 A, being that the first inner wall 122 and the third inner wall 142 do not meet in a sharp angle. Instead, a first end portion 250 is provided at ends of the first inner wall 122 and the third inner wall 142 to provide a blunt end. Likewise, the second wall 132 and the fifth inner wall 152 both end one side at a second end portion 260.

15 Figure 3 shows another rodent extermination box 300 as another embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention. The other box 300 has the same elements as the box 100, save that where elements have been provided in duplicate in the box 100, they are only provided in singular in the other box 300. In particular, the other box has one hole 302, one passageway portion 304 and one trap area 306. The bait receiving 2 0 area 308 as shown by Figure 3 is relatively small, though a person skilled in the art will readily understand that the bait receiving area 308 may also be provided in a wider way, in particular to achieve the advantage discussed earlier, i.e. that the bait receiving area 308 is still accessible for rodents once a rodent is trapped by a trap located in the trap area 306.

25

Naturally, boxes for extermination of rodents can be implemented as will with more than two entry holes, trap areas, passageway portion and/or bait receiving areas (or two bait receiving areas) without departing from the scope of the invention.

30 The box 100 (Figure 1) is preferably made out of plastic, in particularly using a mould in a projection moulding process. Alternatively, the box 100 can be made of welded or punched and pressed metal plates, wood or any other suitable material.

It is noted that the Figures provided and discussed show schematic drawings of 35 embodiments of the invention. They have not been provided to give absolute indications on dimensions of specific embodiments, unless otherwise indicated.

9

Though the invention and embodiments thereof have so far been discussed in relation to extermination of rodents, it is stipulated that the invention may be used for extermination of other pest animals as well. Using other types of traps, baits and/or toxins, the trap may be adapted to attract, trap and/or poison other animals like birds, 5 snakes, lizards, raccoons, snails, insects and any other mammals, vertebrates and invertebrates that pose an issue to mankind and/or its property.

Expressions such as "comprise", "include", "incorporate", "contain", "is" and "have" are to be construed in a non-exclusive manner when interpreting the description and its 10 associated claims, namely construed to allow for other items or components which are not explicitly defined also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed in be a reference to the plural and vice versa.

In the description above, it will be understood that when an element such as layer, 15 region or substrate is referred to as being öhtör öhtoanother element, the element is either directly on the other element, or intervening elements may also be present.

Furthermore, the invention may also be embodied with less components than provided in the embodiments described here, wherein one component carries out multiple 2 0 functions. Just as well may the invention be embodied using more elements than depicted in Figure 1, Figure 2 and/or Figure 3, wherein functions carried out by one component in the embodiment provided are distributed over multiple components.

A person skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various parameters disclosed in 25 the description may be modified and that various embodiments disclosed and/or claimed may be combined without departing from the scope of the invention even though such combination has not been explicitly disclosed.

It is stipulated that the reference signs in the claims do not limit the scope of the claims, 30 but are merely inserted to enhance the legibility of the claims.

Claims

A device for housing elements for controlling pests, the device comprising: a) a body comprising a bottom plate and a number of side walls: b) A cover for closing the body; c) At least a first opening in a first side wall which opening gives access to a first corridor; D) A second blind run for receiving a first trap for catching the pests; Which second blind passage is placed in a first angle of less than 90 ° with respect to a first part of the first passage, which first part of the first passage is located between the first opening and the second blind passage. 15 i *

Device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a second opening in a second side wall, which second side wall is opposite the first side wall, which second opening gives access to the first corridor and which opening is in line with the first opening and the first corridor . 20

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a third blind passageway for receiving a second trap for catching pests, said third blind passageway being placed in a second angle of less than 90 ° with respect to a second portion of the first passage, which second part of the first passage extends from and is in line with the first part of the first passage.

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a bait-receiving unit for attracting pests, which bait-receiving unit is connected to the first pass. 30

The device of claim 4, wherein the bait receiving unit is defined by at least one of the following: a) a bait holding element, which holding element extends from the bottom plate; B) A wall element protruding from the bottom plate to a height lower than the lid when the lid is placed on the body, the bait receiving unit being an area between the wall element and a side wall of the body; and / or c) A bait-fixing element, which bait-fixing element extends from the bottom of the lid to the inside of the body when the lid is placed on the body.

The device of claim 4, wherein the bait receiving element is located near or adjacent to the second blind passageway.

The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the ace receiving element and the second blind aisle are positioned relative to each other such that the ace receiving element is freely accessible from the first aisle if a trap is placed in the second blind corridor.

Device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the element for receiving bait and the second blind corridor are positioned relative to each other such that the element for receiving bait is freely accessible from the first corridor if a pest is caught in the trap .

The device of claim 4, wherein the ace receiving element is in a fourth blind aisle accessible from the first aisle.

The device of claim 1, wherein the first angle has a value from at least one of the following sets:

25 Between 30 ° and 60 ° Between 40 ° and 50 ° and / or About 45 °