WO1999047763A1

WO1999047763A1 - Insect control system

Info

Publication number: WO1999047763A1
Application number: PCT/AU1999/000163
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vasilios Toutountzis
Original assignee: Termi-Mesh Australia Pty. Ltd.
Priority date: 1998-03-13
Filing date: 1999-03-15
Publication date: 1999-09-23
Also published as: AUPP232598A0

Abstract

An insect control system in the form of a barrier (11) for preventing passage of insects such as termites, ants and spiders. The barrier (11) comprises a mass of resiliently compressible material (19) disposed in a compressed condition whereby interstices within the mass are of a size to inhibit movement of the insects through the mass.

Description

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Title

Insect Control System

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an insect control system and more particularly to a barrier for preventing or inhibiting passage of insects.

While the invention has been devised particularly as a termite barrier, it may also be used as a barrier for other insects including spiders and ants, particularly black ants.

Background of the Invention

In recent years, there has been a trend towards physical barriers rather than chemical barriers in buildings for prevention of infestation by insects and in particular termites.

There have been various proposals in relation to physical barriers for termite protection. One proposal involves use of mesh having pores of a sufficiently small size to prevent the passage of termites therethrough. Another proposal involves placement of a layer of graded aggregate to provide a termite barrier.

The installation of a termite barrier using mesh material involves careful placement of the mesh material and effective attachment of the edges of the mesh material to the building structure in order to ensure integrity of the barrier. The installation of a termite barrier using graded aggregate involves careful preparatory work at the site of the termite barrier and a system for retaining the graded aggregate in position to ensure that the integrity of the barrier is not jeopardised. - 2 -

While the physical barriers referred to above are effective in affording protection against termite infestation, there are certain areas in a building structure where they are not suitable for installation One such area is in weep holes in cavity walls of buildings Another area is where conduits carry service lines such as telephone cables into buildings In the latter case it is common for service lines such as telephone cables to enter a building within a protective conduit which passes through an outer wall of the building With such an arrangement, the cavity within the conduit can provide a path along which termites may travel to obtain entry into the building

Summary of the Invention

It is against this background, and the limitations associated therewith, that the present invention has been developed

The present invention provides a barrier for preventing passage of insects, said barrier comprising a mass of resiliently compressible material disposed in a compressed condition whereby interstices within the mass are of a size to inhibit movement of the insects through the mass

Where the invention is intended for termite control, the resiliently compressible material is preferably formed of a material which is resistant to breakdown in the environment of use and which is substantially resistant to attack by termites In being substantially resistant to attack by termites, the material is preferably resistant to termite secretions and has a hardness of not less than about shore D70 for resistance to termite chewing

The resiliently compressible material may carry a chemical or other treatment to kill or deter the termites or other insects

The mass of resiliently compressible material is preferably permeable to fluids such as air and water when in the compressed condition - 3 -

In one form, the mass of resiliently compressible material may comprise a tangled mass of filamentous material. With this arrangement, the mass of filamentous material is of an open structure so as to provide the permeability to fluids.

The filamentous material may be formed of any suitable material such as metal, ceramics, glass or plastics.

The filamentous material may include fibres, threads, shavings, peelings, strips, ribbons, and other slender elements, including any combination thereof. Where, for example, the filamentous material comprises strips of metal, such strips may be generated from a metal work-piece undergoing a turning operation on a lathe.

Conveniently, the tangled mass of filamentous material comprises a wad of steel wool. Where the termite barrier is in an environment where it is exposed to corrosion, the steel is preferably stainless steel.

In another form, the mass of resiliently compressible material may comprise a mass of sponge material. The sponge material may have one or more passages formed therein to accommodate one or more cables. Alternatively, the mass of sponge material may be in segments (such as crumbs) which can be packed into position in the cavity.

Where the barrier is intended for installation in a conduit having at least one cable extending therethrough, the mass of resiliently compressible material is preferably in a form which allows it to be conveniently positioned around the cable within the conduit. The tangled mass of filamentous material is particularly suitable for this purpose.

Where the barrier is intended to deter termite attack or infestation in a building or other structure, the mass of resiliently compressible material is typically located in a cavity through which termites might otherwise pass to infest the building. Typical examples of such a cavity include the internal space within a cavity wall in a building, a gap at the junction between a wall and a concrete floor slab, a - 4 -

gap surrounding a penetration in a concrete floor slab, and an expansion gap in a concrete slab.

The barrier may also be disposed about an object, or part of an object, to be protected against attack by insects. A typical example of such an arrangement is installation of the barrier as a protective coating positioned about adjacent ends of two electrical cables having a junction therebetween, for protecting the junction against infestation by insects. In such an arrangement, the mass of resiliently compressible material may be wrapped or otherwise installed in position and retaining in such position by retaining means such as one or more ties or straps, or a retaining sleeve positioned about the material.

The invention also provides a building structure incorporating a barrier according to the invention as hereinbefore set forth.

The invention still further provides a method of insect barrier installation in a building structure having a cavity, the method comprising the act of positioning a mass of resiliently compressible material in a compressed condition within a cavity whereby interstices within the mass are of a size to inhibit movement of insects through the mass.

The present invention further provides a method of installation of an insect barrier in a conduit, comprising the act of positioning a mass of resiliently compressible material in the conduit through one end thereof whereby the mass of resiliently compressible material is in a compressed condition such that interstices within the mass are of a size to inhibit movement of insects through the mass.

The present invention further provides a method of installation of a insect barrier about a section of an object, the method comprising the act of positioning a mass of resiliently compressible material about said section of the object and retaining the mass of resiliently compressible material in a compressed condition about said section. - 5 -

The mass of resiliently compressible material may be retained about said section by positioning retaining means about the mass The retaining means may comprise a retaining sleeve, or straps or ties encircling the mass

The present invention further provides an assembly of a conduit, a cable extending through the conduit and an insect barrier positioned in the conduit for preventing passage of insects along the conduit, said insect barrier comprising a mass of resiliently compressible material disposed within the conduit in a compressed condition whereby interstices within the mass are of a size to inhibit movement of the insects through the mass

The present invention also provides a brick wall having a weep hole provided therein and an insect barrier within the weep hole, the insect barrier comprising a tangled mass of resiliently compressible material positioned within the weep hole in a compressed condition whereby interstices within the mass are of a size to inhibit movement of the insects through the mass

The present invention also provides a cable assembly comprising two sections of cable connected one to another at a junction, and an insect barrier positioned about the junction to prevent access of insects thereto, the insect barrier comprising a mass of resiliently compressible material retained in a compressed condition whereby interstices within the mass are of a size to inhibit movement of insects through the mass

The mass of resiliently compressible material may be retained in the compressed condition by a retaining means The retaining means may comprise a retaining sleeve positioned about the mass of resiliently compressible material The retaining sleeve may be in the form of a shrink-wrap sleeve which encapsulates the mass of resiliently compressible material Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be understood by reference to the following description of several specific embodiments thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings in which

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a termite barrier according to a first embodiment installed in a protective conduit for a telephone cable,

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of Figure 1 ,

Figure 3 is a schematic view of a termite barrier according to a second embodiment,

Figure 4 is a schematic view of a termite barrier according to a third embodiment,

Figure 5 is a schematic view of a termite barrier according to a fourth embodiment,

Figure 6 is a schematic view of a termite barrier according to a fifth embodiment installed in an expansion joint within a concrete slab,

Figure 7 is a schematic elevational view of a termite barrier according to a sixth embodiment installed in a weak hole of a brick wall,

Figure 8 if a schematic view of a termite barrier according to a seventh embodiment providing a protective coating about a junction in a cable, and

Figure 9 is a schematic view of a termite barrier according to an eighth embodiment also providing a protective coating about a junction between two cables - 7 -

Best Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a barrier 1 1 according to a first embodiment for use in association with a protective conduit 13 which accommodates a telephone cable 15 The conduit 13 delivers the cable to, and through, an external wall (not shown) of a building The free space 17 about the cable 15 within the conduit 13 can provide a path along which termites and other insects can travel to obtain access to the interior of the building The barrier 11 according to the embodiment provides a plug within the conduit 13 to prevent termites and other insects from travelling along the conduit and entering the building

The barrier 11 comprises a wad 19 of filamentous material arranged in a tangled mass In this embodiment, the tangled mass of filamentous material is steel wool, with the steel being stainless steel so as to be resistant to corrosion, as well as being resistant to attack by insects and in particular termites

The wad 19 of steel wool is inserted into the end of the conduit 13 to surround the cable 15 and so provide the plug which blocks the passage of termites and other insects The plug does not need to extend along the full length of the conduit 13 but rather only a sufficient distance so as to be effective in blocking the passage of the termites The wad 19 of steel wool is pressed into the conduit 13 through the end thereof so as to assume a compressed condition which serves to retain the wad of steel wool in position within the conduit, as well as insuring that interstices within the mass of steel wool are of a size to inhibit movement of termites through the tangled mass

A benefit of the termite barrier 11 provided by the embodiment is that it can be easily removed to provide access to the cable 15 in circumstances where the cable requires servicing or replacement Additionally, the flexible nature of the wad 19 allows any movement between the cable 15 and the conduit 13 to be accommodated without damaging the integrity of the termite barrier A further - 8 -

benefit is that the interstices within the wad 19 allow ventilation and drainage within the plugged conduit

Referring now to figure 3 of the drawings, there is shown a termite barrier 20 according to a second embodiment In this embodiment, the termite barrier 20 prevents passage of termites through an opening 21 which is formed in a concrete slab 23 and which accommodates a duct 25 extending through the concrete slab

A recess 27 is formed in the slab 23 around the opening 21 adjacent the upper end of the slab A wad 29 of filamentous material in a tangled mass is accommodated in the recess 27 to plug the opening 21 and thereby prevent passage of termites along the opening and into a building (not shown) supported on the slab The wad 29 is pressed into the recess 27 so as to assume a compressed condition and thereby snugly locate against the duct 25 as well as the slab 23

The flexible nature of the wad 29 of steel wool within the recess 27 allows any movement between the conduit and the slab to be accommodated without damaging the integrity of the termite barrier

In another embodiment, which is similar to the second embodiment but which is not shown, a wad of filamentous material in a tangled mass may simply be packed within the annular space defined between an opening extending through a concrete slab and a conduit extending through the opening In other words, the wad of material is packed into the gap between the conduit and the opening in the slab in which the conduit is received

Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown a termite barrier 30 according to a third embodiment The termite barrier 30 is provided within a cavity wall 31 comprising inner and outer leaves 33, 35 in spaced apart relationship to provide a cavity 36 therebetween, the cavity wall being supported on a concrete footing and slab 37 in conventional fashion The termite barrier 30 comprises a tangled mass 39 of - 9 - filamentous material (of the type described in relation to the other embodiments) packed into the bottom region of the cavity 36

Referring now to Figure 5, there are shown two termite barriers 40 according to a fourth embodiment Each termite barrier 40 is provided in a gap 41 between a wall panel 42 and a respective slab 43 adjacent one side thereof, with the wall panel 42 and the two slabs 43 being supported on a footing 45 Each termite barrier 40 comprises a tangled mass 41 of filamentous material (of the type described in relation to the other embodiments) packed into the respective gap 41

Referring now to Figure 6 of the drawings, there is shown a termite barrier 50 according to a fifth embodiment The termite barrier 50 comprises a tangled mass 51 of filamentous material (of the type described in relation to the other embodiments) packed into the upper part of a gap 53 which provides an expansion joint 55 between two sections 57, 58 of a concrete slab 59 Typically, the gap 53 would provide a passage along which termites could pass through the slab The presence of the termite barrier 50 blocks the passage of termites

Referring now to Figure 7 of the drawings, there is shown a barrier 60 according to a sixth embodiment The barrier 60 is installed in a conventional weep hole 61 formed in a brick wall 62 supported on a concrete slab 63 The brick wall 62 is of conventional construction, comprising a series of courses of bricks 64 with mortar 65 therebetween Typically, weep holes 61 are formed at regular intervals along in the second lowermost course of bricks Without the barrier 60, the weep holes 61 can provide an opening through which insects including termites can pass through the brick wall 62 In this embodiment, the barrier 60 comprises a tangled mass 66 of filamentous material (of the type described in relation to the other embodiments) packed into the weep holes 61

Referring now to Figure 8 of the drawings, there is shown a termite barrier 70 according to a seventh embodiment positioned about adjacent ends of two cables 71 , 72 which are connected together at a junction 73 The barrier 70 is intended - 10 -

to prevent insects such as ants and termites gaining access to the junction between the cable 71 , 72

The termite barrier 70 comprises a tangled mass 75 of filamentous material (of the type described in relation to the other embodiments) positioned about the adjacent ends of the cable 71 , 72 and the junction 73, and retained in such position by a retaining means 77 The retaining means 77 comprises a sleeve which is shrink-wrapped about the tangled mass 75 and the cables 71 , 72 so as to encapsulate the tangled mass and retain it in a compressed condition about the junction 73 thereby to deter access of insects to the junction

Referring now to Figure 9 of the drawings, there is shown a termite barrier 80 according to an eighth embodiment The termite barrier 80 is of a similar construction to the termite barrier 70 shown in Figure 8 of the drawings, with the exception that the retaining means 77 is not in the form of a sleeve but rather straps 83 positioned about the tangled mass 75

From the foregoing, it is evident that the present invention provides a simple yet highly effective barrier for termites and other insects such as spiders and ants The termite barrier can be easily installed and removed as necessary Furthermore, the inherent flexible nature of the barrier allows it to flex to accommodate movement without detriment to its integrity

It should be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the scope of the embodiments described In particular, it should be understood that the barrier according to the invention can be used in situations other than those described in the various embodiments

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers including method steps

Claims

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The Claims defining the invention are as follows:

1 A barrier for preventing passage of insects, said barrier comprising a mass of resiliently compressible material disposed in a compressed condition whereby interstices within the mass are of a size to inhibit movement of the insects through the mass

2 A barrier according to claim 1 wherein the mass of resiliently compressible material comprises a tangled mass of filamentous material

3 A barrier according to claim 2 wherein the tangled mass of filamentous material comprises a wad of steel wool

4 A barrier according to claim 3 wherein the steel comprises stainless steel

5 A barrier according to claim 1 wherein the mass of resiliently compressible material comprises a mass of sponge material

6 A barrier according to claim 5 wherein the sponge material is in segments

7 A building structure incorporating a barrier according to any one of the preceding claims

8 An assembly of a conduit, a cable extending through the conduit and an insect barrier positioned in the conduit for preventing passage of insects along the conduit, said insect barrier comprising a mass of resiliently compressible material disposed within the conduit in a compressed condition whereby interstices within the mass are of a size to inhibit movement of the insects through the mass

9 A brick wall having a weep hole provided therein and an insect barrier within the weep hole, the insect barrier comprising a tangled mass of resiliently compressible material positioned within the weep hole in a compressed - 12 -

condition whereby interstices within the mass are of a size to inhibit movement of the insects through the mass

A cable assembly comprising two sections of cable connected one to another at a junction, and an insect barrier positioned about the junction to prevent access of insects thereto, the insect barrier comprising a mass of resiliently compressible material retained in a compressed condition whereby interstices within the mass are of a size to inhibit movement of insects through the mass

A cable assembly according to claim 10 wherein the mass of resiliently compressible material is retained in the compressed condition by a retaining means

A cable assembly according to claim 1 1 wherein the retaining means comprises a retaining sleeve positioned about the mass of resiliently compressible material

A cable assembly according to claim 12 wherein the retaining sleeve comprises a shrink-wrap sleeve which encapsulates the mass of resiliently compressible material

A barrier for preventing passage of insects through a cavity, said barrier comprising a mass of resiliently compressible material positioned within the cavity in compressed condition whereby interstices within the mass are of a size to inhibit movement of the insects through the mass

A barrier according to any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the resiliently compressible material comprises a material which is resistant to breakdown in the environment of use and which is substantially resistant to attack by termites - 13 -

16 A barrier according to claim 15 wherein the material is resistant to termite secretions and has a hardness of not less than about shore D70 for resistance to termite chewing

17 The barrier according to any one of claims 1 to 16 resiliently compressible material carries a chemical or other treatment to kill or deter the termites or other insects

18 A barrier according to any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein the mass of resiliently compressible material is permeable to fluids when in the compressed condition

19 A method of insect barrier installation in a building structure having a cavity, the method comprising the act of positioning a mass of resiliently compressible material in a compressed condition within the cavity whereby interstices within the mass are of a size to inhibit movement of insects through the mass

20 A method of installation of an insect barrier in a conduit, the method comprising the act of positioning a mass of resiliently compressible material in the conduit through one end thereof whereby the mass of resiliently compressible material is in a compressed condition such that interstices within the mass are of a size to inhibit movement of insects through the mass

21 A method of installation of a insect barrier about a section of an object, the method comprising the act of positioning a mass of resiliently compressible material about said section of the object and retaining the mass of resiliently compressible material in a compressed condition about said section