WO2016109417A1

WO2016109417A1 - Vehicular and boat area insect repellent device

Info

Publication number: WO2016109417A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/067652
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephen S. HILL; Stephen J. Shapiro
Original assignee: Thermacell Repellents, Inc.
Priority date: 2014-12-29
Filing date: 2015-12-28
Publication date: 2016-07-07

Abstract

A support and housing for an insect repellent device is provided for vehicles such as boats and recreational vehicles in which the insect repellent device may be securely attached to the vehicle to provide dispersion of the insecticide when the recreational vehicle is stationary as when it is in a campsite for recreational vehicles or when fisherman are substantially stationary while on a lake or other water surface. A waterproof and optionally heated grill may be used.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION

INVENTORS: STEPHEN S. HILL and STEPHEN J. SHAPIRO TITLE: VEHICULAR AND BOAT AREA INSECT REPELLENT DEVICE

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims the priority of US Provisional Patent Application Serial Number 62/097,170, filed December 29, 2014, the invention and contents of which are incorporated herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to providing area insect repellent devices for moveable vehicles such as recreational vehicles (RV's) and motorboats.

Prior art mosquito insect repellent devices are generally placed in outdoor areas so as to ward off annoyance from insects and mosquitos. Such devices are used in a fixed space and provide a reasonable area range in which volatilizable substances are released to create a barrier and zone free of such insects.

One such device is a ThermaCELL® device found at Thermaceli.com, the teachings of which are incorporated herein. The ThermaCELL device comprises, at least, a heating plate, a flame or source of electricity to heat the plate, upon which sits a mat impregnated with a volatilizable chemical released through heat to create the insect barrier zone of the insect repellent device.

It is an object of this invention to provide such a system for other areas that are not fixed in space, but which could materially enjoy the benefits of creating insect free zones. One example is that of a boat, especially a boat used for fishing in which quiet waters are sought and mosquitos are bound to find the fishermen.

Recreational vehicles are widely employed throughout the world. When in motion, there is little or no interest in insect repellents outside the vehicle, but when parked for an evening, creating an insect free zone is of great benefit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed an area insect repellent system that is OEM or an aftermarket device attached to a boat or RV. The principal aspects of this insect repellent device, as contrasted with the prior art devices, is that this device is sealed when unused, is waterproof, is made of materials that can withstand salt water environments for a boat and use an existing electrical system on the vehicle to power the insect repellent device.

Heating the plate upon which a mat sits is not materially different whether the source of power be AC, DC, a flame powered by butane or a 12 volt DC system. Thus, the general operation of the area repellent system of this invention will be the same as in the prior art.

The area insect repellent system of this invention includes a metal plate which vaporizes the active ingredient contained in an absorbent mat which sits on the metal plate and a grill thereabove. It is preferable to use stainless steel for the heating plate and other metal parts, especially in salt water environments. The insect repellent device is waterproof. All exhaust grills and air intakes are fully sealed for when the vehicle/boat is underway or in storage. Construction materials will withstand a salt water environment, especially for boats.

The grill of this invention may be used outdoors, may be water repellent to be used in wet and rainy conditions and may be heated to reduce condensation found in outdoor conditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is an illustrative perspective view of a boat including a support for the insect repellent device of this invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view illustrating attaching the insect repellent device to a flange on the boat.

Fig. 3 is a top view of the insect repellent device of Fig. 2 with the cover open.

Figs. 4A and 4B are sectional views showing the cover or lid both in the open and closed positions including louvers therein.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing the insect repellent device vertically oriented attached to a surface.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a waterproof grill.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the grill of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a heated grill.

Fig, 9 is a sectional view of the heated grill of Fig. 8 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Figs. 1-4 illustrate a horizontal mounting assembly for use on the deck of a boat or an RV surface. A boat 10 has a flange 12 around an inner surface of the boat 10. The flange 12 is horizontal and may be part of the OEM boat structure or added as an after-market horizontal surface to hold a clamp to attach the device 16 to the vehicle 10. Other attachment systems could include a round rail mount system to accommodate a clamp. Additionally, suction devices attached to surface 12 of the boat could also be used. The area insect repellent device 16 (Fig. 2) is seated within a housing 17 and has a hinged lid 18, which, when closed, doses the repellent device 16. When lid 18 is closed, it may be connected to a conventional mechanical electrical switch interlock (not shown) that prevents the electrical system for the repellent device from being activated.

A flexible waterproof sack 20 covers the entire unit when not being used to protect the unit, and sack 20 is removed when the device is to be used. Additionally, cover 18 may be used to cover the device on a more temporary basis.

When lid 18 is opened, the interlock permits flow of current to the repellent device, including heating the plate, and exposes an on/off switch 22 to turn on the electrical power for the unit.

Louvers 40, seated above device 16, are adjustable and have a general upward angulation of between 20-30° to the vertical. Such louvers may be adjusted manually in the conventional fashion.

This invention is directed to an insect repellent device for use in the outdoors. When the environment is windy, mosquitos are unlikely to be a problem. When the boat or recreational vehicle is sitting substantially stable, in a relatively calm or stationary manner, mosquitos may well be attracted to the vehicle, and the operation of the present system with the louvers 40 may then be desired.

A grill 24, which is commonly used in such area insect repellent systems is also exposed so that a mat 25 containing a voiatilizable substance can be slid into place on top of the conventional heating plate 26 located thereunder to vaporize the substance contained therein.

A temperature control may be used for the heating plate, so that high

temperature may be available to vaporize the active ingredient more quickly. A temperature control may be powered by an electrical system 28 in the boat which can be accessed in a cigarette lighter receptacle or a standard insert 30 for making electrical connections on the vehicle, Other connections for using the electrical system of the vehicle may be used. A variable current controller 35 with a manually controlled knob 33 can control the temperature of heating plate 26 and signal lights 27, 29 and 31 (See Fig. 3) can display achieved temperature levels or activation of the system.

If the insect exposure area is not great, a user could select a lower temperature for the heating plate to increase the life of the mat with a smaller repellent coverage area.

Figs. 1 -4 illustrate this invention as attached a horizontal surface 14 found in either an RV or a boat. Fig. 5 shows an insect repellent system attached in a vertical position, which is more likely to be utilized in an RV vehicle. The same elements are shown in Fig. 5 as are found in Figs. 1-4 except that the operating position of the device 6 is vertical. The clamp or support to hold device 6 in a fixed position will be substantially similar to that for boat 10 except that the surface on which to connect the repellenl device 16 will be tailored to the structure of the RV. The RV may be built with original equipment support surfaces or recesses to which the repellent device 16 can be attached.

Fan 32 located below device 6 may also be used to better disperse the volatizable substance. That is optional and may not be needed. Fan 32 can be powered by the electrical system. Additionally indicator lights 27, 29 and 31 can be used to indicate power on or off.

The description of the operation of the insect repellent is substantially the same for the vertical mount in Fig. 5 as for the horizontal mount of Figs. 1-4.

The vertical mount is more likely to be used in recreational vehicles in which support surfaces for the repellent device are not as readily accessible on the exterior of the device as may be found in an open boat.

Figs. 6 and 7 are perspective and sectional views of another embodiment of a grill for the repellant device 16 of this invention. Since the device may be used on boats or RV's it is possible the units will be used in high humidity environments, including rain, fog and drizzle, Mosquitos can be very active in such environments. The grii! 60 comprises a series of spaced apart upper convex vanes 62 turned downwardly and held by rod 64. The downward vanes 62 terminate above opposite upwardly oriented convex lower vanes 66, and arrows 68 show the flow path for rain, etc. A side gutter 70 carries water away from grill 60.

Arrows 72 show the flow of dispersed insecticide rising from the impregnated pad 74 so that even in wet environments, the pad 72 stays substantially dry while emitting insecticide repellent chemicals. One of the advantageous features of this invention is the provision of adjustable electric power 35 to control the heat of the heating plate 26 below the impregnated mat.

There are several advantages for adjustable temperature:

1. The user has the option to determine size of repeilency area vs life of the repellent mat. Lower temperatures will result in smaller areas of coverage and longer mat life. This may be an advantage if the user is located close to the repellent device, and there is no wind. Higher temperature will result in a greater area of coverage and better upwind penetration.

2. The user has the option to use active ingredients having low temperature volatility. Giving a gently thermal push to substances that volatize slowly in the 70 90F range will improve the coverage and efficacy of such substances.

a. Allethrin will vaporize slowly at 140°C and yield a small area of coverage while at 180°C, it will vaporize quickly and give a large coverage area. b. Both metofluthrin and transfluthrin are Als that vaporize at or near normal temperatures. They may vaporize more or less easily depending on formulation and atmospheric conditions. A repellent device with adjustable temperature can accommodate these Al ingredients as the user adjusts the temperature to produce the desired area of effectiveness.

Figs. 8 and 9 are perspective and sectional views of a heated grill of this invention which reduces and may eliminate all condensation formed on the grill which interferes with the proper operation of device 16. The heated grill comprises an electric heater 90 located below the grill which is powered by the vehicle's power system. The heater 90 is below heat plate 26. A heated part 84 of grill 24 surrounds the device 16, substantially all around mat 25. Heater 90 is in contact with the heated part of the grill, and a thermal insulation 92 is located on top of the grill to keep one's hand away therefrom.

The grill could also carry resistance elements therein which may be directly heated by the vehicle's power system to heat the resistance elements in grill 24.

It should be understood that the preferred embodiment was described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly legally and equitably entitled.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An insect repellent device for moveable vehicles,

said insect repellent device comprising a heating plate, a mat impregnated with a volatiiizable chemical released by heating said plate and a source of energy for said heating plate to heat said mat to release said chemical,

a housing for said insect repellent device, and

said moveable vehicle comprising a support to hold said housing, said support holding said housing such that when said vehicle is substantially at rest said insect repellent device can be operative.

2. An insect repellent device according to claim 1 , wherein said support fixedly holds said housing.

3. An insect repellent device according to claim 1 , wherein said support is

separable from said vehicle.

4. An insect repellent device according to claim 3, wherein said support comprises a clamp to attach said support to said vehicle.

5. An insect repellent device according to claim 4, wherein said clamp comprises holding means to fixedly hold said housing to said clamp.

6. An insect repellent device according to claim 1 , wherein said support and said housing are separable.

7. An insect repellent device according to claim 1 , wherein said insect repellent device comprises louvers directing the flow of said volatiiizable chemical.

8. An insect repellent device according to claim 7, wherein said louvers are set at between approximately 20-30° with respect to a vertical plane.

9. An insect repellent device according to claim 1, wherein said source of energy comprises an electric current.

10. An insect repellent device according to claim 9, wherein said electric current is carried on said vehicle and is connected to said insect repellent device to heat said heating plate.

11. An insect repellent device according to claim 10 wherein said connection is made through a cigarette lighter receptacle.

12. An insect repellent device according to claim 9, wherein said source of energy is user adjustable.

13. An insect repellent device according to claim 11 , wherein said variable source of energy is an amplitude adjustable electric current.

14. An insect repellent device according to claim 1 , further comprising a cover for said housing to protect said insect repellent device.

15. An insect repellent device according to claim 1 , wherein said cover is fixedly

attached to said housing.

16. An insect repellent device according to claim 14, wherein said cover is attached to said housing with a hinge and has an open and a closed position.

17. An insect repellent device according to claim 14, wherein said cover is removable from said housing and said support.

18. An insect repellent device according to claim 1 , further comprising a fan assist connected to said housing to assist in the dispersion of said chemical.

19. An insect repellent device according to claim 18, wherein said fan assist comprises a motor electrically powered, wherein said electrical power for said motor is carried on said vehicle.

20. An insect repellent device comprising

a waterproof grill located above said mat,

said waterproof grill capturing rain and moisture dropping onto said device, and said waterproof grill comprising a plurality of vanes for capturing and diverting said moisture from said mat.

21. An insect repellent device according to claim 20, wherein said grill comprises

heating elements to heat said grill to prevent condensation.

22. An insect repellent device comprising

a heating plate,

a mat impregnated with a volatilizable chemical released by heating said plate a source of energy for said heating plate to heat said mat to release said chemical,

a housing for said insect repellent device,

a waterproof grill located above said mat,

23. An insect repellent device according to claim 22, wherein the shape of said

vanes divert moisture from said mat but provide a path for upward flow of the vo!atizable chemical.

24. An insect repellent device according to claim 23, wherein said vanes comprise convex and concave shapes, said vanes comprising upper vanes downwardly directed to divert moisture downward and upwardly oriented vanes to capture and carry moisture dropped from said upper vanes away from said device.

25. An insect repellent device according to claim 23, wherein said upper and lower vanes each comprise a plurality of vanes separated from each other with said lower vanes located beneath said upper vanes and spanning the distance between adjacent upper vanes, respectively.

26. An insect repellent device comprising

a heating plate,

a mat impregnated with a volatilizable chemical released by heating said plate,

a source of energy for said heating plate to heat said mat to release said chemical,

a housing for said insect repellent device,

a grill located above said mat,

said grill comprising electrical resistance for carrying current therethrough to heat said grill, and

said heated grill preventing condensation formed thereon.