WO2008028221A1

WO2008028221A1 - Bait station

Info

Publication number: WO2008028221A1
Application number: PCT/AU2007/001289
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cameron Wilson Skedd; Rachel Maria Skedd
Original assignee: Apc Tri-Star Developments Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2006-09-05
Filing date: 2007-09-05
Publication date: 2008-03-13

Abstract

The invention is a bait station for rodents which, when not in use, is comprised of a generally flat member having adjacent components which can be folded to provide the base and sides of the bait station and is provided with means to securely hold the bait station in its assembled form.

Description

BAIT STATION

Technical Area

This invention relates to a bait station and, in particular, to a bait station which is specifically useful for rodents and which station can be stored flat for easy transport as well as for reuse.

Background to the Invention

While the bait station of the invention can be used for various unwanted species for convenience sake here it will be discussed in terms of its application to the disposal of rodents.

Bait stations of various types have been well-known for a long period but, generally, they suffer from one or more disadvantages.

For example a bait station has to be readily accessible to the target population, but at the same time, it has to be difficult of access for children and larger animals, such as family pets.

In addition to the above it would be preferable if a bait station were to be both simple to use and easy to freight. Previously, there have been bait stations which meet one or more of these criteria, but generally, do not satisfactorily meet them all.

For example, there are some quite complex bait stations which would normally be made of a plastics material which have a labyrinth entrance and can be more- or-less easily locked and whilst these meet the safety desiderata, they are normally provided fully made-up, so they are expensive to transport and many of these are, in fact, imported into Australia from the United States of America and Europe.

There are other bait stations, made of wax or polyester coated board, which can be readily folded and, as such, are cheap and easy to transport, but generally, once these have been set-up they do not meet the safety requirements of being difficult to access by children and other animals.

Outline of the Invention

It is the object of the invention to provide a bait station, and a method of using such a station, which minimises or overcomes these previous difficulties.

The invention is a bait station which, when not in use is comprised generally of a flat member, having adjacent components which can be folded to provide the base and sides of the bait station and is provided with means to securely hold the bait station in its assembled form.

It is preferred that the flat member include an elongate base member in hinged engagement with side members as well as end members.

It is further preferred that the base member include bait supports in the interior of the assembled bait station.

It is also preferred that the end members be in interlocking engagement with the side members when the bait station is assembled.

It is further preferred that the locking means engage free ends of the side members and that this locking means be a pin device passing through interlocking receptors on those ends.

It is also preferred that this pin device be positively secured in the bait station and that this be effected by screw means.

The station may be preferably made of a plastics material and can be injection- moulded, the ends being integral with the central portion and having a side- length equivalent to the side-portions and having means whereby they can inter- engage with the side-portions when the station is assembled. In order that the invention may be more readily understood we will describe here by way of non limiting example a specific embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawing Figures

Fig. 1 Shows the bait station of the invention in its unfolded state;

Fig. 2 Shows a perspective view of the assembled bait station;

Fig. 3 Shows a view of the interior of the bait station;

Fig. 4 Shows detail of the locking means for the bait station;

Description of an Embodiment of the Invention

The bait station 10 as shown in Figure 2 can be.formed from a single flat member 20, preferably an injection-moulded member of a synthetic plastics material, but could be formed from a sheet metal or even, in some applications, a coated card material.

The station can come in different sizes so dimensions will not be further discussed, except to say, that a station which is designed for small rodents, such as mice, will normally be substantially smaller than that for larger rodents, such as rats. When formed flat, the Station shown in this embodiment of the invention is generally rectangular in shape and divided into three abutting areas being a base 12 and sides 14 with triangular ends 16.

The arrangement is such that there are hinged-means between each of these areas which hinging is achieved by simply providing a reduced thickness portion of the plastics material along each hinge.

The end pieces 16 are provided with protuberances 18 part-way along their sides which extend outwardly and are adapted to engage with receptors in the in the edges of the side portions of the device,

The precise number of protuberances and receptors is not restricted in the invention and any preferred number may be used.

Neither is the invention restricted to the generally triangular embodiment described here however it has been found to be preferable in its simplicity and strength.

In this embodiment of the invention the outer edges of the sides are provided with opposingly spaced arcuate members 19, the arrangement being such that when the edges of the two sides shown are brought into abutment a tubular chennel is formed into which a securing pin 30 can be located fo secure the assembled bait station.

As shown in Figure 4 the securing pin can be locked into the bait station by means of a threaded portion 31 which can be turned using handle 32 which enters pin end 33 and causes the pin to engage with end receptor 34.

The arrangement is such that to set-up, the station it is necessary to rotate the triangular members about the central portion of the base and to rotate the outer members to form the sides of the triangle and whilst this is being done ensure that the protuberances on the end members enter into the apertures on the sides.

When the members have moved fully, the arcuate portions will co-operate one with the other and the device can be locked together by passing the pin from one end to the other.

If it is necessary to open the station, say to replace the bait, it is a simple matter to unscrew the pin and free it such that the bait station can be unfolded. It will be seen however that this arrangement does make opening the station extremely difficult for a child or the like.

While we have described here one means of securing the bait station it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted in this regard and that any preferred means may be chosen.

Formed in the sides of the station there can be a number of entry-holes 50, preferably four, one at each end on each side, and the length of the device is such that relative to the side of the hole and a child or an animal larger than those for which the station is designed, cannot readily get contact with the bait, that is, if the station is designed for mice and the holes are sufficiently small that a small child's hand cannot pass-through, then the baits have to be further away than the extended fingers.

If the station is for rats and a hand can get through, then the station has to be of a length to prevent a child's arm, up to say an wrist or elbow, from reaching the bait.

These entry holes can be part way up the sides or may be flush with the floor when the station is assembled to that there is no restriction on the rodent entering the station. The baits 60 are preferably mounted on rods or wires which extend through the station or, preferably, are located relative to one side of the station and extend through the other side.

This may be done by providing a formed support having a leg 65 which is adapted to extend from the base of the station to a position on the side where the centre of the bait is required to be located and an extending portion which passes across the base.

We may provide detents or the like to receive the bottom of the member and we may provide recesses in the sides to receive the free ends of the members or the members could be of sufficient length to pass through formed apertures in the sides of the station.

The station can, if required, have apertures through which fixing wires, or the like, can pass.

It will be appreciated that the station of the invention then provides a station which, when in use, is secure, it is not readily accessible by children or by animals other than those for which it is designed, and yet when it is to be freighted it folds flat and this enables very many more to be located on a pallet than would be the case with pre-assembled units. From a practical point of view the stations would normally be provided in packs of eight or ten or twelve, depending upon the size and the weight and they may be banded together with a carrying handle. It is also possible to provide the station as a multi purpose station by making relatively minor modifications thereto.

For example, it could act as a cockroach bait station and in this case there can be a cockroach entry point at one or both ends spaced inwardly at the end can be a triangular member similar to that forming the end and on this, adjacent to the top of the triangle there can be a cockroach gel bait.

These baits are very attractive to cockroaches and they will not hesitate to enter through the end and climb to the bait but, at the same time, because the bait is relatively high and the spacing only small access is not readily available.

Similarly the device could be used as an ant bait by enclosing one of both ends, having an entry hole part way up the end and having a syrup bait on the floor.

This bait needs to be relatively viscous and it can be arranged that the entry hole is so located that even when there is a full load of bait, should the station be tipped over the bait will not exude from the entry hole.

Also, and particularly for exterior areas, where snails are a problem, it is possible to locate between the entry holes and the bait, lines of salt.

Snails do not cross salt, as it tends to desiccate them and thus snails are discouraged from endeavouring to reach the bait.

It is also possible to provide a rat drinker, which is a liquid container which is so formed as to be able to be received within the station and which has demand delivery so that a liquid rat poison can be located in the device and can be accessed by a rat but, again, is inaccessible for children and other animals.

It is possible to provide, with the stations of the invention, a tool box into which unused and used baits may be located, the normal bait preferably being a formed block which can be on the rods previously referred to and which box can be locked to prevent ready access and this could also carry the other add-on components which have described herein.

The application does also include some method of maintaining bait stations which includes the provisions of bait stations of the invention, a separate carrier for baits for the stations which also has means whereby used baits can be taken away for disposal.

Whilst there has been described herein certain methods of carrying out the invention it is to be understood that variations can be made in the materials from which the station is manufactured and the shape of the station and other features as described above. These variations however can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A bait station which, when not in use, is comprised of a generally flat member having adjacent components which can be folded to provide the base and sides of the bait station and is provided with means to securely

. hold the bait station in its assembled form.

2. A bait station as claimed in claim 1 wherein the flat member includes a base member in hinged engagement with side members as well as end members.

3. A bait station as claimed in claim 2 wherein the base member is an elongate shape.

4. A bait station as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the base member includes bait supports in the interior of the assembled bait station.

5. A bait station as claimed in claim 4 wherein the end members are in interlocking engagement with the side members when the bait station is assembled.

6. A bait station as claimed in claim 5 wherein the locking means engages free opposing edges of the side members.

7. A bait station as claimed in claim 6 wherein the locking means is a pin device passing through receptors on each of these free edges

8. A bait station as claimed in claim 7 wherein the pin device is positively secured to the bait station.

9. A bait station as claimed in claim 8 wherein the positive securement is effected by screw means operated by handle means.

10. A bait station as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the bait station is of a plastics material which can be injection-moulded.