WO2010074585A1

WO2010074585A1 - Eradication apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2010074585A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2008/000349
Authority: WO
Inventors: Warren Roy Agnew
Original assignee: Warren Roy Agnew
Priority date: 2008-12-23
Filing date: 2008-12-23
Publication date: 2010-07-01

Abstract

An eradication apparatus comprises a tunnel, sensing means and spray assembly. The tunnel is operatively connected to the spray assembly which is adapted to spray a specific type of animal when said animal passes through or just enters the tunnel such that the animal will die. The spray assembly includes a spray means and the sensing means includes at least one sensor to measure a desired identifying characteristic of the animal within the tunnel. The said at least one sensor is mounted to the tunnel and is operatively connected to an electronic controller which is also connected to the spray assembly whereby if the sensor measurements fit desired characteristics for a target animal species. An electronically initiated spray from the spray means is caused to spray the specific type of animal inside the tunnel.

Description

ERADICATION APPARATUS

This invention relates to an eradication apparatus. The invention is directed particularly, but not solely, towards an eradication tunnel for predators such as stoats, weasels, ferrets and rats.

Background of the invention

World wide there are serious predation issues for those services facing the task of protecting rare and endangered native wildlife species. Within any country such as New Zealand, the animals causing devastation among many native bird species are the introduced species, such as rats and mustilidae mammals. Of the mustilidae family, there are animals having slender bodies, which in New Zealand can be stoats, weasels or ferrets, with their ability to range widely, swim across streams, lakes and rivers, climb with ease and speed and attack and kill, nesting or feeding birds. This is the main factor in the decline of the iconic New Zealand kiwi. In other countries other animals such as for example mongoose cause problems as well.

Stoats have large territories and can cover 8km in a night as they seek food. The female, has one or more dens and lives a life separate from the male. Stoats, weasels and ferrets like to explore tunnels and holes in the search for the food. The. Department of Conservation is responsible for the setting of some 60,000 stoat traps each and every day of the year. These traps are metal, spring loaded, and because of their danger to the ground feeding kiwi, are placed in a box with a_! restricted opening designed to keep kiwi away from the traps. However the kill rate from these traps only averages one stoat for every 300 trap nights. So a huge amount of expense and effort is being channelled into killing a very cunning and wary animal.

In addition to the mustilidae, other slender animals such as feral cats are also a further concern for the Department of Conservation. These animals are trapped when possible and one line of cat traps in. the South Island can cover an enormous distance. Again, this is a difficult and expensive control system to both operate and maintain.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved eradication apparatus which will obviate or minimise some, if not all, the aforementioned problems in a simple yet effective manner or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice. Statement of invention

Accordingly in a first aspect the invention consist in an eradication apparatus, the apparatus comprises a tunnel, sensing means and spray assembly, the tunnel being operatively connected to the spray assembly, the spray assembly is adapted to spray a specific type of animal when said animal passes through or enters or stops. within the tunnel, such that the animal will die, wherein the spray assembly includes a spray means and the sensing means includes at least one sensor to measure a desired identifying characteristic of the animal within the tunnel, the said at least one sensor is mounted to the tunnel and is operatively connected to an electronic controller which is also connected to the spray means whereby if the sensor measurements fit desired characteristic^) for a target animal species, an electronically initiated spray from the spray means is caused to spray the animal inside the tunnel.

Preferably the spray assembly is removably located at the top and outside of the tunnel.

Preferably the tunnel has a combined entry and exit end or a separate entry and exit end.

Preferably the spray means includes at least one spray nozzle.

Alternatively there can be at least two spray nozzles wherein one is located in and through the top of the tunnel and the other one is located on the base of the tunnel or floor.-

Alternatively there are at least four sensors located at least in the top of the tunnel but located within the tunnel.

Preferably the sensors are located such that they can measure any one of/some of/all of the following animal identifying characteristics such as motion, colour, body heat, body length, body smell or weight of an animal.

Preferably the spray assembly includes at least one canister containing propellant and toxin whereby a toxic spray can be formed through outlet tubing to the spray means.

Preferably the canister is pressurized. Preferable the spray assembly can include a second canister which is fluidly connected to the outlet tubing of the canister containing the propellant and toxin wherein the second canister is provided with a suitable solvent in the form of time delayed release spray to dissolve any hardened toxic spray that may block the spraying.

Alternatively the spray assembly is removably mounted to the inside of the tunnel.

Preferably the spray assembly includes an arming means and an actuator whereby the actuator includes a valve to cause a specified amount of spray through the outlet tubing and the arming means comprises a pullable tag to cause when pulled the spray assembly to be armed and ready for automatic actuation by at least one animal.

Preferably the spray assembly includes an electronic controller operatively connected to the sensors and actuator.

Preferably the sensors are operatively connected to the spray assembly wherein the sensors are motion sensors and/or infrared passive sensors.

Preferably the spray assembly includes a portable power means which is operatively connected to the electronic controller which are connected such that the discharge of the toxic spray is caused when the electronic controller receives the correct information from the sensors relating to the whatever animal identifying characteristic has been selected like for example body motion, heat and body size of the animal within the eradication apparatus.

Preferably the spray assembly also includes a programmable microchip which is also operatively connected to the other parts of the apparatus, and is adapted to control the action of the actuator which allows for the escape of the pressurised. spray. . .

Preferably a counter mechanism is operatively connected to the electronic controller.

Preferably the spray assembly has a cover or housing to protect the spray assembly from weathering and accidentally being knocked or activated.

Preferably the spray assembly has a support means.

Preferably the eradication apparatus includes a collecting means for collecting any overspray wherein the collecting means is a tray being located underneath the tunnel. Accordingly in a second aspect the invention consists in a method of installation of the eradication apparatus as previously disclosed, wherein the following steps include:

1. Locate the tunnel on a support surface, eg. on top of ground or inground or on a tree.

2. Fit spray assembly having a first spray canister, to the tunnel to allow spraying inside the tunnel.

3. Activate said spray assembly to spray only when a target animal enters

Preferably after installation of the spray assembly, a cover or housing can be placed over the spray assembly.

Preferably a collecting means is fitted underneath the apparatus to collect any surplus toxic spray.

Preferably a second spray canister can also be fitted beside the first canister to cause a time delayed spray of solvent after the toxic spray has been sprayed.

Accordingly in a third aspect the invention consists in a method of spraying target animals to eradicate them by operation of the eradication apparatus as previously disclosed, wherein the following steps include:

1. In use when a target animal enters the tunnel it will move forward into position where at least one sensor 4 will record a desired identifying characteristic of the animal or target species within the tunnel,

2. If these measurements fit the desired identifying characteristics for the target species an electronically elevated pressurized spray will apply toxic spray directly onto the fur or skin surface of the target species. Drawing description

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the eradication apparatus with spray assembly located outside of the runnel.

Figure 2 is a partial close up schematic side view of the lower portion.of the spray assembly of the toxic spray canister 9 of figure 1.

Figure 3 is a schematic top plan view of the lower portion as in figure 2.

Figure 4 is a schematic perspective exploded view of the eradication apparatus with the spray assembly located inside a separate housing outside the tunnel.

Figure 5 is a schematic top plan view of the apparatus of figure 4.

Detailed description of the invention

As shown in figures 1 - 5, the eradication apparatus includes a tunnel 2 and spray assembly 3. The spray assembly 3 is operatively connected to the tunnel 2 such that when an animal enters or passes there-through, the animal gets sprayed and will die as a direct result.

The eradication apparatus also includes at least one sensing means in the form of sensor 4 for measuring an identifying characteristic or parameter of an animal or target species which can provide enough information or identify the animal species, to determine how much spray to use or when to spray or how frequent the spraying can be. Some parameters for example can be motion, body heat, weight, body smell and body length. As shown in the example for figure 1 there can be four sensors - 5, 6, 7 and 8. These sensors can be located anywhere in and on the tunnel 2, but can be located for example inside/outside at the top of the turme.l 2. Each sensor can operatively include a transmitter and receiver or just a transmitter. The sensor(s) are removably located and spaced such that when an animal enters the tunnel or passes through the tunnel, that the sensor(s) sense the particular selected body identifying characteristic such .as for example heat, body length or weight to activate the spray means 3 to spray the toxic spray either once or more as programmed.

Spray assembly 3 also includes the following components of at least one canister or first pressurized can 9, an actuator means 10, a spray cover or housing 11, power means, electronic controller 12 and arming means. As shown in figure 1 these can be simply located on top of the tunnel 2 or as shown in figure 2 these components can be assembled within a separate housing 11 as shown in figures 4 and 5. Canister 9 includes a propellant and toxin such that a toxic spray can be emitted therefrom.

The actuator means 10 which is operatively connected to the can 9, controller 12 and power means 25 and wires 26 can include a valve to allow a set amount of spray to be pushed out of the can 9 or 9a when required.

The spray means can also include as many spray nozzles as required, eg. spray nozzles 13 and 14 are shown with one being located at the inner top part of the tunnel 2 and the other spray nozzle 14 being located on the base of the tunnel 2. AU spray nozzles are fhαidly connected to the canister 9.

Each tunnel 2 has a specified length 15, a height 16, ends 17 and 18, and a base 19 and top 20. The tunnel 2 can have any suitable dimensions as desired, depending on the type of animal being eradicated. Tunnel 2 can be fabricated from any suitable material that enables easy manufacture and easy and lightweight carrying. For example the tunnel 2 can be made out of PVC.

Typically the tunnel 2 can be 100mm x 100mm x 1 metre long x 3mm thick. For example as shown in figure 1, a square shaped tunnel 2 is shown. Tunnel 2 may have a base portion 19 or not, depending on the support surface which may be a tree or the ground or a platform. The eradication apparatus should also be waterproof, lightweight and UV resistant. The eradication apparatus will be of sufficient length, dimensions and shape to prevent the accidental placement of a hand on the activating sensors, which are placed inside the tunnel.

As shown in figures 1 and 2 the spray assembly can be located outside of the tunnel 2. Alternatively though not shown the spray assembly maybe located within the tunnel. As shown in figures 4 and 5, housing 11 can be shaped to sit on top of the tunnel 2. The tunnel 2 can be removably or fixed by fixing means 21 to be clipped or removably located such as by clipping or by permanently attaching to the tunnel 2. In this option the canister 9 can be located horizontally with all the appropriate components of the spray assembly 3 being operatively connected and located within the housing 11. The eradication apparatus 1 also can have a collecting means 22 which is located with respect to the tunnel 2 and spray assembly 3 to collect any access spray. The tunnel 2 can have drainage means (not shown) to feed any such spray to the collecting means. The housing 11 can be in the shape of a rectangular box with an access lid 23 thereon and a partition member 24 inside the box to separate the canister 9 from the power means 25 and electronic control 12.

The components of the eradication apparatus 1 can be operatively connected such that they can be powered by any power means 25 which can be portable or mains powered. The power means 25 can typically be a battery or batter pack or it may be solar power connected with any appropriate wiring 26 as required.

Before the spraying can occur in one option the canister 9 will need to be first armed. Therefore the spray assembly 3 can include an arming means 27 which for example can be a pulling a tab. This feature reduces the, risk to accidental, spraying on children.

In use when a target animal enters the tunnel 2 it will move forward into position where a pair of sensors 4 which are linked to the controller 12 will record an identifying animal or target species of say the motion or body heat or body length of the animal within the tunnel. For example sensors 4 can be motion or infrared passive sensors. If these measurements fit the desired parameters for the target species the electronically activated and elevated canister 9 will apply toxic compound directly onto the fur or skin surface of the target species.

The required volume of toxic compound required to cause the death of the target .species can then be applied. As there will be a time factor before the, death of the sprayed animal which will have moved away from the eradication apparatus 1 to die, ideally the applied toxin should not pose a threat of secondary poisoning for any other species which may feed on the body of the dead animal. The required strength of grams/litre for the toxin will need to be determined for each species of animal to be effective. The amount of toxin applied and the mechanism of death will vary depending on the specific toxin used and the particular animals to be targeted. The discharge of the toxic spray is caused when the electronic controller 12 receives the correct information from the sensors 5-8 relating to the particular identifying parameter such as in this example body heat and body size of the animal within the eradication apparatus. A microchip controls the action of the actuator and it is this unit which allows for the escape of the pressurised spray.

The eradication apparatus 1 can be powered by a longlife low powered 9V battery. The electronic controller 12 along with the actuator can be joined to the pressurised canister 9 by a support means such as a screw thread (not shown). When required, the pressurised canister 9 can be quickly replaced. Optionally the spray assembly 3 will have a counter mechanism 29 that will indicate the times the spray assembly 3 has been activated. In use the toxic compound will be sprayed onto the back or the underneath or the side or the front of an animal such as a stoat, to cause its death.

There is also a method of installation for the eradication apparatus. This includes at least some of the following steps:

1. Locate the tunnel 2 on a support surface wherein the support surface may be on top of the ground of within the ground or on a tree.

2. Locate spray assembly 3 on top of the tunnel 2 (inside or outside).

3. Arm the spray assembly 3

4. Activate said spray assembly 3.

After step 4 one may put on the spray cover or housing 11 to protect the spray assembly 3. The spray cover or housing 11 may be placed over the spray unit after activation. Other steps may include clearing the surrounding area so that a proper track can lead to the tunnel 2 or forming the tunnel 2 from a flat blank before locating the tunnel 2. The arming might not be needed in some situations such as in remote locations. Additionally a second spray canister can also be fitted beside the first canister to cause a time delayed spray of suitable solvent after the toxic spray has been sprayed to dissolve any residue that may block the tubing 28 or spray nozzles. Variations

As shown in figure 3 the spray assembly is located within a housing or cover 11. This housing 11 can be located on top and outside the tunnel or inside the tunnel. The tunnel 2 can like before be formed or made from any material able to last as required such as aluminium or plastics. The tunnel material may also be fluted or have ribbing. The apparatus can be adapted for any animal type or species. The identifying can consist of measuring and then comparing with stored data or apparatus can be set up to work only when a set characteristic^) is/are sensed to then repeatedly trigger the automatic spraying. A species or type may or may not be actually identified as just the characteristic is needed to trigger the spraying.

Instead of the spray assembly 3 including the pressurized canister 9, there can be a pump with valve 10 and separate reservoir - not shown. The canister 9 can include a tubular . delivery member 28 fluidly connecting the actuating means 10 of canister 9 or 9a to the spray means as shown in figures 2 and 3. To assist in this flow of spray the inner surface of the tubular member 28 can be coated with Teflon ™. The spray assembly 3 if located inside the tunnel 2 includes a housing and a trap door for access.

To further assist An the flow of spray from the canister to the spray means or prevent the hardening of any spray within the delivery tube 28, a spray of alcohol or any suitable solvent can also be used which is contained in another canister 9a which also has an actuator 10 with a fluid tube 28 which can be timed to spray alcohol some time after the spray from the canister 9 has occurred. The cans 9 and 9a can also be provided with appropriate dip tubes to ensure that most of the contained toxic spray and alcohol can be delivered to the spray means. In this option the delivery tubing 28 would need to be altered to suit whereby a branch tube 28 from canister 9a feeds to the tubing 28 coming out from the actuator 10 of can 9 so that all tubing leading to the spray nozzles gets a time delayed spray of alcohol to dissolve or loosen any hardened toxic spray. The cross sectional shape of the tunnel 2 can also be circular or any other suitably enclosed shape such as for example square or rectangular. The tunnel 2 shape can also be formed from a flat blank. Other aspects for the tunnel 2 are to be strong and/or wide enough to allow a selected animal therethrough and should in some cases be strong and wide enough to allow the canister or spray assembly to be located thereon.

Housing 11 can also be located beside the tunnel 2 or the tunnel 2 may be located through the housing 11.

Other features may include remote activation, remote alarms or remote locators to indicate when the spray assembly 3 has been activated or even when the spray assembly has run out of spray. The eradication apparatus 1 can also have securing means to not allow unauthorized removal of the eradication apparatus by animal or human means.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and application of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be limiting.

Throughout the description and statement of invention of this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word, such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Advantages

The eradication apparatus and its method can have at least one of the following advantages:

1. Modest cost to manufacture.

2. Low operating costs

3. Less labour involved - less checking of trap and no reactivating.

4. Simple installation.

5. Species-specific. 6. Not a threat to kiwis.

7. Safe to use and operate.

8. Lightweight, strong and waterproof.

9. Portable power system possible.

10. Safer to kids- can be armed first

11. Minimal parts and components.

12. Utilises animals' natural curiosity and hunting pattern to effect eradication.

13. Can be adapted for almost any type of animal.

Claims

WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. An eradication apparatus, the apparatus comprises a tunnel, sensing means and spray assembly, the tunnel being operatively connected to the spray means, ^• the spray assembly is adapted to spray a specific type of animal when said animal passes through or just enters the tunnel such that the animal will die, wherein the spray assembly includes a spray means and the sensing means includes at least one sensor to measure a desired identifying characteristic of the animal within the tunnel, the said at least one sensor is mounted to the tunnel and is operatively connected to an electronic controller which is also connected to the spray assembly whereby if the sensor measurements fit desired characteristics for a target animal species, an electronically initiated spray from the spray means is caused to spray the specific type of animal inside the tunnel.

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2. The eradication apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the spray assembly is located on the outside the tunnel.

3. The eradication apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the tunnel has a combined entry end and exit end or the tunnel can have a separate entry end and exit end.

4. The eradication apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the spray assembly includes at least one canister or first canister containing propellant and toxin whereby a toxic spray can be formed through outlet tubing to.the spray means.

5. The eradication apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the spray assembly includes an arming means and actuator whereby actuator includes a valve to cause a specified amount of spray through the outlet tubing and the arming means causes the apparatus to be armed and ready for automatic actuation by at least one animal.

6. The eradication apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the spray assembly includes the electronic controller operatively connected to the sensors and actuctor.

7. The eradication apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the spray assembly has a portable power means which is connected to the electronic controller which is connected such that the discharge of the toxic spray is caused when the electronic controller receives the correct information from the sensors relating to whatever animal identifying characteristic is required.

8. The eradication apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the spray assembly also includes a' programmable microchip which is adapted to^" control the action of the actuator which allows for the escape of the pressurised spray.

9. The eradication apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the spray assembly has a housing or cover to protect the spray assembly from weathering and being accidentally being knocked or interfered with.

10. The eradication assembly according to claim 9 wherein a second spray canister can also be fitted beside the first canister to cause a time delayed spray of solvent to the outlet of the first canister to cause a time delayed spray of solvent after the toxic spray has been sprayed.

•11. A method of installation of the eradication apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the following steps include: Locating the tunnel on a support surface, fitting the spray assembly to the tunnel to allow spraying inside the tunnel and activating said spray means to spray only when a target species enters.

12. The method of installation of the eradication apparatus of claim 11 wherein after installation of the spray assembly, a housing can be placed to enclose the spray assembly. . " .

13. A method of spraying target animals to eradicate them by operation the eradication apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the following steps include: in use when a

■ ^' target animal species enters the tunnel it will move forward into position where at least one sensor will record a desired identifying characteristic of the animal within the tunnel and if these measurements fit the desired characteristics for the target species an electronically activated pressure spraying means will apply toxic compound directly onto the fur or skin surface of the target species.

14. An eradication apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

15. A method of installation of the eradication apparatus as claimed in claim 11 substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

16. A method of installation of the eradication apparatus as claimed in claim 13 substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.