Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02798663 2012-12-12
PEST-MANAGEMENT APPARATUSES
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This applications claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No.
61/570,116 filed December 13, 2011, which is incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to pest (e.g., rodent)
management and,
more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to pest-management
apparatuses and methods.
2. Brief Description of Related Art
[0003] Examples of pest-management apparatuses are disclosed in U.S.
Patent No.
4,026,068; U.S. Patent No. 4,028,829 ; U.S. Patent No. 4,660,320; U.S. Patent
No. 5,953,854;
U.S. Patent No. 6,082,042; and U.S. Patent No. 6,343,434.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This disclosure includes embodiments of pest-management apparatuses
(e.g.,
stations or bait stations) and methods of use.
[0005] Some embodiments of the present pest management apparatuses
comprise: a base;
and a lid configured to be coupled to the base such that the base and the lid
cooperate to define a
chamber having at least one entrance opening sized to permit a rodent to enter
the apparatus
through the at least one entrance opening; where at least one of the base and
the lid comprises a
sidewall at least partially defining an external perimeter of the apparatus,
the sidewall configured
to discourage a rodent from climbing onto the lid of the apparatus.
[0006] In some embodiments, the base comprises the sidewall. In some
embodiments,
the sidewall is further configured to direct a rodent toward the at least one
entrance opening. In
some embodiments, the sidewall has a height, and an upper portion of the
sidewall is disposed
outwardly of a lower portion of the sidewall by a distance of at least 20
percent of the height. In
some embodiments, the sidewall includes a surface extending from the lower
portion to the
upper portion. In some embodiments, the surface is substantially straight
between the lower
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portion and the upper portion. In some embodiments, the surface includes a
concave-shaped first
portion and a substantially straight second portion. In some embodiments, the
lid has a first end
and a second end, and one of the first end and the second end is coupled to
the base. In some
embodiments, the lid is pivotally coupled to the base. In some embodiments,
the lid is unitary
with the base. In some embodiments, the other of the first and second ends of
the lid is
configured to be detachably coupled to the base.
[0007] In some embodiments, the lid comprises a transparent viewing
window through
which a user can view at least a portion of the chamber. In some embodiments,
the transparent
viewing window is at least partially detachable from the lid. In some
embodiments, the lid
comprises a substantially planar portion and a reinforcing portion. In some
embodiments, the
reinforcing portion comprises one or more ribs. In some embodiments, the lid
is configured such
that if the lid is coupled to the body in a closed configuration, the
reinforcing portion is interior
to the apparatus. In some embodiments, the base comprises a floor configured
to prevent
movement of the apparatus. In some embodiments, the floor is a unitary portion
of the base. In
some embodiments, at least one of the base and the lid comprises at least one
protrusion
extending outwardly relative to the chamber, the at least one protrusion
configured to discourage
a rodent from traveling in at least one non-vertical direction away from the
at least one entrance
opening. In some embodiments, the at least one protrusion extends from the
sidewall. In some
embodiments, the protrusion is unitary with the sidewall. In some embodiments,
the chamber
has at least one secondary opening sized differently than the entrance
opening. In some
embodiments, the at least one secondary opening is shaped differently than the
at least one
entrance opening. In some embodiments, the at least one secondary opening is
smaller than the
at least one entrance opening. In some embodiments, the at least one secondary
opening
includes a plurality of secondary openings that are each smaller than the at
least one entrance
opening.
[0008] In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises one or more
separators configured
such that if the lid and base are coupled together to define the chamber, the
one or more
separators divide the chamber into a rodent capture portion and an entry
portion. In some
embodiments, the rodent capture portion and the entry portion are in fluid
communication. In
some embodiments, the one or more separators comprise two separators spaced to
define two
pathways between the entry portion and the rodent capture portion of the
chamber. In some
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embodiments, the one or more separators comprise a plurality of separators
spaced to define
multiple pathways between the entry portion and the rodent capture portion of
the chamber. In
some embodiments, each of the one or more separators is coupled to at least
one of the lid and
the base. In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more separators is
unitary with the lid
or the base. In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a divider
coupled to the base;
where the base is configured such that if multiple rodents enter the
apparatus, the divider and the
one or more separators direct the rodents to different parts of the rodent
capture portion of the
chamber. In some embodiments, the apparatus is configured to be coupled to a
coupling member
such that if the coupling member is coupled to the surface, the coupling
member substantially
prevents the apparatus from moving away from the surface. In some embodiments,
a portion of
the coupling member is configured to extend beyond the lid of the apparatus if
the apparatus is
coupled to the coupling. In some embodiments, the coupling member comprises: a
planar
portion; and a retaining portion; where the apparatus is configured to be
coupled to the retaining
portion.
[0009]
Some embodiments of the present pest-management apparatuses comprise: a
base; and a lid configured to be coupled to the base such that the base and
the lid cooperate to
define a chamber having at least one entrance opening sized to permit a rodent
to enter the
apparatus through the at least one entrance opening; where at least one of the
base and the lid
comprises at least one protrusion extending outwardly relative to the chamber,
the at least one
protrusion configured to discourage a rodent from traveling in at least one
non-vertical direction
away from the at least one entrance opening. In some embodiments, at least one
of the base and
the lid comprises a sidewall at least partially defining an external perimeter
of the apparatus, and
the at least one protrusion extends from the sidewall. In some embodiments,
the base comprises
the sidewall. In some embodiments, the sidewall is configured to discourage a
rodent from
climbing onto the lid of the apparatus. In some embodiments, the sidewall is
configured to direct
a rodent toward the at least one entrance opening. In some embodiments, the
sidewall has a
height, and an upper portion of the sidewall disposed outwardly of a lower
portion of the
sidewall by a distance of at least 20 percent of the height. In some
embodiments, the sidewall
includes a surface extending from the lower portion to the upper portion. In
some embodiments,
the surface is substantially straight between the lower portion and the upper
portion. In some
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embodiments, the surface includes a concave-shaped first portion and a
substantially straight
second portion.
[0010] In some embodiments, the chamber has at least one secondary opening
sized
differently than the entrance opening. In some embodiments, the at least one
secondary opening
is shaped differently than the at least one entrance opening. In some
embodiments, the at least
one secondary opening is smaller than the at least one entrance opening. In
some embodiments,
the at least one secondary opening includes a plurality of secondary openings
that are each
smaller than the at least one entrance opening. In some embodiments, the
apparatus comprises
one or more separators configured such that if the lid and base are coupled
together to define the
chamber, the one or more separators divide the chamber into a rodent capture
portion and an
entry portion. In some embodiments, the rodent capture portion and the entry
portion are in fluid
communication. In some embodiments, the one or more separators comprise two
separators
spaced to define two pathways between the entry portion and the rodent capture
portion of the
chamber. In some embodiments, the one or more separators comprise a plurality
of separators
spaced to define multiple pathways between the entry portion and the rodent
capture portion of
the chamber. In some embodiments, each of the one or more separators is
coupled to at least one
of the lid and the base. In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more
separators is
unitary with the lid or the base. In some embodiments, the one or more
separators are configured
such that if multiple rodents enter the apparatus, the one or more separators
direct the rodents to
different parts of the rodent capture portion of the chamber. In some
embodiments, the apparatus
is configured to be coupled to a coupling member such that if the coupling
member is coupled to
the surface, the coupling member substantially prevents the apparatus from
moving away from
the surface. In some embodiments, a portion of the coupling member is
configured to extend
beyond the lid of the apparatus if the apparatus is coupled to the coupling.
In some
embodiments, the coupling member comprises: a planar portion; and a retaining
portion; where
the apparatus is configured to be coupled to the retaining portion.
[0011] Some embodiments of the present pest-management apparatuses
comprise: a
base; and a lid configured to be coupled to the base such that the base and
the lid cooperate to
define a chamber having at least one entrance opening sized to permit a rodent
to enter the
chamber and at least one secondary opening sized differently than the entrance
opening. In some
embodiments, the at least one secondary opening is shaped differently than the
at least one
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entrance opening. In some embodiments, the at least one secondary opening is
smaller than the
at least one entrance opening. In some embodiments, the at least one secondary
opening
includes a plurality of secondary openings that are each smaller than the at
least one entrance
opening. In some embodiments, the at least one entrance opening and at least
one secondary
opening is disposed vertically from the ground to prevent fluid entry. In some
embodiments, at
least one of the base and the lid comprises a sidewall at least partially
defining an external
perimeter of the apparatus, the sidewall configured to discourage a rodent
from climbing onto the
lid of the apparatus. In
some embodiments, the base comprises the sidewall. In some
embodiments, the sidewall is configured to direct a rodent toward the at least
one entrance
opening. In some embodiments, the sidewall has a height, and an upper portion
of the sidewall
disposed outwardly of a lower portion of the sidewall by a distance of at
least 20 percent of the
height. In some embodiments, the sidewall includes a surface extending from
the lower portion
to the upper portion. In some embodiments, the surface is substantially
straight between the
lower portion and the upper portion. In some embodiments, the surface includes
a concave-
shaped first portion and a substantially straight second portion.
[0012] In
some embodiments, at least one of the base and the lid comprises at least one
protrusion extending outwardly relative to the chamber, the at least one
protrusion configured to
discourage a rodent from traveling in at least one non-vertical direction away
from the at least
one entrance opening. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises one or more
separators
configured such that if the lid and base are coupled together to define the
chamber, the one or
more separators divide the chamber into a rodent capture portion and an entry
portion. In some
embodiments, the rodent capture portion and the entry portion are in fluid
communication. In
some embodiments, the one or more separators comprise two separators spaced to
define two
pathways between the entry portion and the rodent capture portion of the
chamber. In some
embodiments, the one or more separators comprise a plurality of separators
spaced to define
multiple pathways between the entry portion and the rodent capture portion of
the chamber. In
some embodiments, each of the one or more separators is coupled to at least
one of the lid and
the base. In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more separators is
unitary with the lid
or the base. In some embodiments, the one or more separators are configured
such that if
multiple rodents enter the apparatus, the one or more separators direct the
rodents to different
parts of the rodent capture portion of the chamber. In some embodiments, the
apparatus is
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configured to be coupled to a coupling member such that if the coupling member
is coupled to
the surface, the coupling member substantially prevents the apparatus from
moving away from
the surface. In some embodiments, a portion of the coupling member is
configured to extend
beyond the lid of the apparatus if the apparatus is coupled to the coupling.
In some
embodiments, the coupling member comprises: a planar portion; and a retaining
portion; where
the apparatus is configured to be coupled to the retaining portion.
[0013] Some embodiments of the present pest-management apparatuses
comprise: a
base; and a lid configured to be coupled to the base such that the base and
the lid cooperate to
define a chamber having at least one entrance opening sized to permit a rodent
to enter the
apparatus; where the apparatus comprises one or more separators configured
such that if the lid
and base are coupled together to define the chamber, the one or more
separators divide the
chamber into a rodent capture portion and an entry portion. In some
embodiments, the rodent
capture portion and the entry portion are in fluid communication. In some
embodiments, the one
or more separators comprise two separators spaced to define two pathways
between the entry
portion and the rodent capture portion of the chamber. In some embodiments,
the one or more
separators comprise a plurality of separators spaced to define multiple
pathways between the
entry portion and the rodent capture portion of the chamber. In some
embodiments, each of the
one or more separators is coupled to at least one of the lid and the base. In
some embodiments,
at least one of the one or more separators is unitary with the lid or the
base. In some
embodiments, the apparatus is configured such that if multiple rodents enter
the apparatus, the
one or more separators direct the rodents to different parts of the rodent
capture portion of the
chamber. In some embodiments, the rodent capture portion is configured to
resist a rodent's exit
from the apparatus. In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises an
adhesive disposed
in the rodent capture portion. In some embodiments, the adhesive comprises an
adhesive mat.
In some embodiments, the adhesive mat is coupled to the base. In some
embodiments, the
adhesive mat is releasably coupled to the base. In some embodiments, the one
or more
separators are substantially perpendicular to the base. In some embodiments,
the one or more
separators are angled to direct rodents to the rodent capture portion.
[0014] In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises two entrance
openings. In some
embodiments, the two entrance openings are disposed on substantially opposite
sides of the
apparatus. In some embodiments, the two entrance openings are configured such
that an axis
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extends through both openings. In some embodiments, the axis is perpendicular
to both
openings. In some embodiments, the two entrance openings are in fluid
communication with the
entry portion of the chamber. In some embodiments, at least one of the base
and the lid
comprises a divider configured to prevent a rodent from entering the apparatus
through one of
the two openings and exiting the apparatus through the other of the two
openings without first
passing through the rodent capture portion of the chamber. In some
embodiments, the divider is
further configured to prevent a rodent outside the apparatus from seeing one
of the two openings
through the other of the two openings. In some embodiments, at least one of
the base and the lid
comprises a sidewall, and the apparatus is configured such that if the lid is
coupled to the base in
a closed configuration, the divider extends from the sidewall. In some
embodiments, the base
comprises the sidewall. In some embodiments, the divider is unitary with the
sidewall. In some
embodiments, the divider is disposed substantially midway between the two
entrance openings.
In some embodiments, the divider is configured to direct rodents toward the
rodent capture
portion. In some embodiments, the divider is coupled to the base, and the base
is configured
such that if multiple rodents enter the apparatus, the divider and the one or
more separators direct
the rodents to different parts of the rodent capture portion of the chamber.
In some
embodiments, the divider has a first end and a second end disposed closer to
the rodent capture
portion than the first end. In some embodiments, the second end of the divider
is a greater
distance from the center of one of the two openings than at least a portion of
the first end of the
divider. In some embodiments, a distance between the second end of the divider
and the center
of the one of the two openings is at least 30% greater than the distance
between the second end
of the divider and the center of the one of the two openings. In some
embodiments, the divider
includes a surface extending from the second end to the first end.
[0015] In
some embodiments, the chamber has at least one secondary opening sized
differently than the entrance opening. In some embodiments, the at least one
secondary opening
is shaped differently than the at least one entrance opening. In some
embodiments, the at least
one secondary opening is smaller than the at least one entrance opening. In
some embodiments,
the at least one secondary opening includes a plurality of secondary openings
that are each
smaller than the at least one entrance opening. In some embodiments, at least
one of the base
and the lid comprises a sidewall at least partially defining an external
perimeter of the apparatus,
the sidewall configured to discourage a rodent from climbing onto the lid of
the apparatus. In
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some embodiments, the base comprises the sidewall. In some embodiments, the
sidewall is
configured to direct a rodent toward the at least one entrance opening. In
some embodiments,
the sidewall has a height, and an upper portion of the sidewall disposed
outwardly of a lower
portion of the sidewall by a distance of at least 20 percent of the height. In
some embodiments,
the sidewall includes a surface extending from the lower portion to the upper
portion. In some
embodiments, the surface is substantially straight between the lower portion
and the upper
portion. In some embodiments, the surface includes a concave-shaped first
portion and a
substantially straight second portion. In some embodiments, at least one of
the base and the lid
comprises at least one protrusion extending outwardly relative to the chamber,
the at least one
protrusion configured to discourage a rodent from traveling in at least one
non-vertical direction
away from the at least one entrance opening. In some embodiments, the
apparatus is configured
to be coupled to a coupling member such that if the coupling member is coupled
to the surface,
the coupling member substantially prevents the apparatus from moving away from
the surface.
In some embodiments, a portion of the coupling member is configured to extend
beyond the lid
of the apparatus if the apparatus is coupled to the coupling. In some
embodiments, the coupling
member comprises: a planar portion; and a retaining portion; where the
apparatus is configured
to be coupled to the retaining portion.
[0016] Any embodiment of any of the present apparatuses can consist of or
consist
essentially of¨ rather than comprise/include/contain/have ¨ any of the
described elements and/or
features. The same is true of the present methods. Thus, in any of the claims,
the term
"consisting of' or "consisting essentially of' can be substituted for any of
the open-ended linking
verbs recited above, in order to change the scope of a given claim from what
it would otherwise
be using the open-ended linking verb.
[0017] The feature or features of one embodiment may be applied to other
embodiments,
even though not described or illustrated, unless expressly prohibited by this
disclosure or the
nature of the embodiments.
[0018] Details associated with the embodiments described above and others
are presented
below.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The following drawings illustrate by way of example and not
limitation. For the
sake of brevity and clarity, every feature of a given structure is not always
labeled in every figure
in which that structure appears. Identical reference numbers do not
necessarily indicate an
identical structure. Rather, the same reference number may be used to indicate
a similar feature
or a feature with similar functionality, as may non-identical reference
numbers. The
embodiments of the present pest-management apparatuses and their components
shown in the
figures are drawn to scale for at least the depicted embodiment.
[0020] FIGS. 1-3 depict perspective views of an embodiment of the present
pest-
management apparatuses having a base and a lid, shown with the lid in an open
configuration.
[0021] FIG. 4 depicts an upper perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1
with the lid in
a closed configuration.
[0022] FIG. 5 depicts a cross-sectional perspective view (without cross-
hatching) of the
apparatus of FIG. 1 with the lid in a open configuration, taken along line 5-5
of FIG. I.
[0023] FIGS. 6 depicts a left wall view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with
the lid in an open
configuration
[0024] FIG. 7 depicts a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the lid
in an open
configuration.
[0025] FIG. 8 depicts a front wall view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 9 depicts a bottom view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the
lid in an open
configuration.
[0027] FIGS. 10-11 depict perspective views of another embodiment of a lid
of the
present pest-management apparatuses.
[0028] FIGS. 12-14 depict perspective views of another embodiment of a
base of the
present pest-management apparatuses.
[0029] FIG. 15 depicts a perspective view of a coupling member configured
to be
coupled to a pest-management apparatus.
[0030] FIGS. 16-17 depict perspective views of the coupling member of FIG.
15 coupled
to an embodiment of the present pest-management apparatuses.
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DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0031] The term "coupled" is defined as connected, although not
necessarily directly, and
not necessarily mechanically; two items that are "coupled" may be unitary with
each other. The
terms "a" and "an" are defined as one or more unless this disclosure
explicitly requires
otherwise. The term "substantially" is defined as largely but not necessarily
wholly what is
specified (and includes what is specified; e.g., substantially 90 degrees
includes 90 degrees and
substantially parallel includes parallel), as understood by a person of
ordinary skill in the art. In
any disclosed embodiment, the terms "substantially," "approximately," and
"about" may be
substituted with "within [a percentage] of' what is specified, where the
percentage includes .1, 1,
5, and 10 percent.
[0032] The terms "comprise" (and any form of comprise, such as "comprises"
and
"comprising"), "have" (and any form of have, such as "has" and "having"),
"include" (and any
form of include, such as "includes" and "including") and "contain" (and any
form of contain,
such as "contains" and "containing") are open-ended linking verbs. As a
result, an apparatus that
"comprises," "has," "includes" or "contains" one or more elements possesses
those one or more
elements, but is not limited to possessing only those elements. Likewise, a
method that
"comprises," "has," "includes" or "contains" one or more steps possesses those
one or more
steps, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more steps.
[0033] Further, a pest-management apparatus or station, or a component of
a bait station,
that is configured in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but it
can also be configured
in other ways than those specifically described.
[0034] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1-9,
shown therein
and designated by the reference numeral 10 is one embodiment of the present
pest-management
apparatuses. In the embodiment shown, apparatus 10 comprises a base 14 and a
lid 18
configured to be coupled to (e.g., is shown coupled to) base 14 such that the
base and the lid
cooperate to define (e.g., when the lid and base are coupled together in a
closed configuration, as
is shown in FIG. 4) a chamber 22 having at least one entrance opening 26 sized
to permit a
rodent to enter apparatus 10 (e.g., chamber 22) through opening 26. In some
embodiments, base
14 and lid 18 may cooperate to define a chamber having a plurality of (e.g.,
more than one)
entrance openings. For example, in the embodiment shown, base 14 and lid 18
cooperate to
define a chamber 22 having a second entrance opening 28. In the embodiment
shown, base 14
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and lid 18 cooperate to define a chamber 22 having entrance openings 26 and 28
when base 14
and lid 18 are coupled together in a closed configuration (FIG. 4). In the
depicted embodiment,
entrance openings 26 and 28 are formed only in base 14. Accordingly, one or
both of entrance
openings 26 and 28 may each be entirely defined by only one of the lid and the
base (e.g., the
entire perimeter of the respective opening may be defined by only one of the
lid and the base).
However, in other embodiments, one or both of entrance openings 26 and 28 may
each be
cooperatively defined by the base and the lid (e.g., when the lid is in a
closed configuration
relative to the base).
[0035] In some embodiments, at least one of base 14 and lid 18 (e.g., base
14, in the
embodiment shown) comprises a sidewall 30 at least partially defining an
external perimeter of
apparatus 10, and configured to discourage a rodent (e.g., at or near sidewall
30) from climbing
onto lid 18. More particularly, in some embodiments, at least one of base 14
and lid 18 (e.g.,
base 14, in the embodiment shown) comprises a sidewall 30 at least partially
defining an external
perimeter of apparatus 10, and configured with at least a curved portion
(e.g., first portion 54) to
discourage a rodent (e.g., at or near sidewall 30) from climbing onto lid 18.
In the embodiment
shown, at least portions of sidewall 30 can also be described as being
configured to direct a
rodent toward a respective entrance opening 26 or 28. In the embodiment shown,
sidewall 30
has a height 34, and an upper portion 38 of sidewall 30 is disposed outwardly
(e.g., relative to
chamber 22) of a lower portion 42 of the sidewall by a distance 46 (see FIG.
8) of at least 20
percent (e.g., 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, or more percent) of height 34. In the
embodiment shown,
sidewall 30 includes a surface 50 extending from lower portion 42 to upper
portion 38. In the
embodiment shown, surface 50 includes a curved (e.g., a concave or
substantially arcuate) first
portion 54, a substantially straight second portion 58, and a curved (e.g., a
convex or
substantially arcuate) third portion 62. In other embodiments, surface 50 can
have any suitable
shape (e.g., can be substantially straight between the lower portion and the
upper portion, curved
(e.g., concave or convex, including substantially arcuate) between the lower
portion and the
upper portion, and/or the like).
[0036] In the embodiment shown, base 14 can be described as having a left
side 63, a
right side 64, a front 65, and a back 66. In the embodiment shown, the
portions of sidewall 30
along left side 63, right side 64, and front 65 all have substantially similar
shapes or profiles, as
described above and depicted, for example, in FIG. 8. In the embodiment shown,
back 66 has a
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profile or shape that is different than the shape or profile of left side 63,
right side 64, and front
65. In the embodiment shown, back 66 is configured so that it may be disposed
adjacent to a
substantially vertical surface (e.g., a wall) exterior to apparatus 10 such
that the space between
back 66 and the substantially vertical surface is minimized (e.g., such that a
portion, up to and
including all, of back 66 is in contact with the surface). In such
embodiments, back 66 may be
described as vertically-oriented, or, more specifically, oriented vertically
relative to floor 94 of
base 14. In other embodiments, back 66 may have a shape or profile that is
substantially similar
to that of sides 63, 64 and/or front 65 (e.g., that is configured to
discourage a rodent from
climbing onto lid 18, and/or to direct a rodent toward entrance opening 26
and/or entrance
opening 28, and/or the like).
[0037] In some embodiments, lid 18 has a first end or edge 68 and a second
end or edge
70, and one of end 68 and end 70 is coupled (e.g., pivotally, detachably,
etc.) to base 14. For
example, in the embodiment shown, edge 70 is coupled to base 14 along back 66.
In other
embodiments, lid 18 may be configured to be coupled to base 14 along any one
or more of sides
63, 64 or front 65. In some embodiments, lid 18 may be configured to be
coupled to two or more
of sides 63 and 64, front 65, and/or back 66 of base. In the embodiment shown,
lid 18 is unitary
with base 14 (e.g., base 14 and lid 18 comprise a single piece of material in
which lid 18 is
pivotally coupled to base 14 via living hinge 72). In the embodiment shown,
end 68 of lid 14 is
configured to be detachably coupled to base 14 by a lip 74 that is configured
to extend around
and contact a peripheral edge 76 of base 14 (e.g., when lid 18 is in a closed
configuration relative
to base 14) to resist separation of the lid from the base (e.g., to resist
opening of the lid relative to
the base). In other embodiments, lid 18 is configured to be removably coupled
to base 14 by at
least one latch, lock, and/or the like.
[0038] In the embodiment shown, lid 18 comprises at least one transparent
viewing
window 78 (e.g., one, as shown) through which a user can view at least a
portion of chamber 22.
In some embodiments, viewing window 78 is at least partially detachable (e.g.,
via a latch) from
lid 18. In some embodiments, viewing window 78 may be unitary with lid 18,
such as where the
material for lid 18 and window 78 are both transparent. In the embodiment
shown, lid 18
comprises a substantially planar portion 82 and a reinforcing portion 86. In
the embodiment
shown, reinforcing portion 86 comprises one or more ribs 90. In some
embodiments, reinforcing
portion 86 may comprise any number of reinforcing structures (e.g., ribs,
rods, a mesh, etc.)
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and/or materials (e.g., plastic, steel, aluminum, wood, etc.) configured to
reinforce lid 18. In the
embodiment shown, reinforcing portion 86 is interior to apparatus 10 when lid
18 is coupled to
base 14 in a closed configuration (e.g., FIG. 4). In other embodiments,
reinforcing portion 86
may be exterior (e.g., extending outwardly from substantially planar portion
82) to apparatus 10
(e.g., relative to chamber 22) when lid 18 is coupled to base 14 in a closed
configuration.
[0039] In some embodiments, base 14 comprises a floor 94 configured to
prevent
movement (e.g., with non-slip material, screws, etc.) of apparatus 10 relative
to a surface (e.g., a
substantially horizontal surface) on which apparatus 10 is disposed or
supported. For example,
in some embodiments, a lower or bottom surface of floor may be textured and/or
may include a
rubber or adhesive surface. In the embodiment shown, floor 94 is unitary with
sidewall 30. In
other embodiments, floor 94 may be detachably coupled (e.g., via latches) to
sidewall 30, or
floor 94 may be omitted.
[0040] In some embodiments, at least one of base 14 and lid 18 (e.g., base
14, in the
embodiment shown) comprises at least one protrusion (e.g., two protrusions,
three protrusions, or
more) extending outwardly relative to chamber 22. For example, in the
embodiment shown,
base 14 comprises a plurality of protrusions 106 configured to discourage a
rodent from traveling
in at least one non-vertical (e.g., horizontal) direction away from entrance
opening 26 and/or
entrance opening 28. In the embodiment shown, protrusions 106 are unitary with
base 14 (e.g.,
sidewall). In other embodiments, protrusion(s) 106 may be releasably and/or
adjustably coupled
to at least one of base 14 and lid 18. In the embodiment shown, two
protrusions 106 extend from
each of sides 63 and 64, with one protrusion at or relatively near front 65
and another protrusion
at or relatively near back 66. In other embodiments, protrusion(s) 106 may
extend from any
suitable portion of base 14 (e.g., any suitable position along sidewall 30,
such as, for example,
front 65). In the embodiment shown, protrusions 106 extend along substantially
the entire height
34 of sidewall 30. In other embodiments, protrusions 106 may extend less than
the entire height
34 (e.g., may be vertically shorter than sidewall 30) while still being
configured to discourage a
rodent from traveling in at least one non-vertical direction away from
entrance opening 26 and/or
entrance opening 28. In the embodiment shown, protrusions 106 are
substantially planar. In
other embodiments, protrusion(s) 106 can have any shape (e.g., curved,
triangular, etc.)
configured to discourage a rodent from traveling in at least one non-vertical
direction away from
an entrance opening (e.g., 26 or 28). Protrusions 106 may each be disposed at
a non-parallel
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CA 02798663 2012-12-12
angle (e.g., 90, 75, 60, 45, 30, or less degrees) relative to the portion of
sidewall 30 from which
the protrusion extends. For example, in the embodiment shown, each protrusion
106 is disposed
at an angle of between 60 and 90 degrees relative to the part of sidewall 30
from which it
extends, and is substantially perpendicular to floor 94 of the base.
[0041] In some embodiments, base 14 and lid 18 cooperate to define a
chamber (e.g., 22)
having at least one secondary opening 110 (e.g., a plurality of secondary
openings 110, as
shown) sized differently (e.g., smaller, as shown) than at least one entrance
opening (e.g., 26
and/or 28). For example, in the embodiment shown, base 14 defines secondary
openings 110.
Secondary opening(s) 110 may also be shaped differently than at least one
entrance opening
(e.g., 26, 28). In other embodiments, the secondary openings can comprise
multiple shapes (e.g.,
square, triangular, circular, etc.). In the embodiment shown, secondary
opening 110 are
configured to allow pheromones to escape chamber 22 (e.g., to attract pests
toward apparatus
10). For example, in the embodiment shown, apparatus 10 is shown with a
container (e.g., a
tube) 112 configured to hold and release pheromones (and/or scented bait) to
attract rodents to
apparatus 10. In some embodiments, secondary opening 110 may be configured to
allow pests
(e.g., cockroaches, scorpions, spiders) smaller than a rodent to enter
apparatus 10 (e.g., into
chamber 22) while preventing rodents from entering the apparatus through the
secondary
openings.
[0042] In some embodiments, apparatus 10 is configured to prevent liquid
below a
certain level from entering chamber 22 through the at least one entrance
opening (e.g., 26 and
28) and the secondary openings (e.g., 110). For example, in the embodiment
shown, the bottom
or lowermost portions of each of entrance openings 26 and 28, and of secondary
openings 110
are disposed a distance above the bottom of floor 94 (e.g., as defined by a
raised edge 114) to
resist and/or prevent liquid on a surface on which the apparatus is disposed
from entering
through the openings.
[0043] In some embodiments, apparatus 10 comprises one or more separators
(e.g., four
separators 118, as shown) configured such that if lid 18 and base 14 are
coupled together to
define chamber 22 (e.g., in a closed configuration), the separator(s) divide
chamber 22 into a
rodent capture portion 119 and an entry portion 120 (FIG. 5). In the
embodiments shown in FIG.
5, rodent capture portion 119 and entry portion 120 are in fluid
communication. In the
embodiment shown, four separators 118 are spaced to define multiple pathways
through which
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CA 02798663 2012-12-12
rodents can travel from entry portion 120 to rodent capture portion 119. In
the embodiment
shown, base 14 is configured and, more specifically, separators 118 and/or
divider 126 are
configured, such that if multiple rodents enter apparatus 10, the shape of the
base and, more
specifically, the separators and/or the divider, may function to direct each
rodents to different
parts of rodent capture portion 119 of chamber 22. For example, in the
embodiment shown,
spaces are provided between separators 118 such that if a first rodent enters
capture portion 119
through a first one of the spaces and becomes trapped at the corresponding
part of rodent capture
portion 119, then a subsequent rodent may be directed to a second "unoccupied"
one of the
spaces between the separators such that the subsequent rodent can enter and
become trapped at a
part of rodent capture portion 119 corresponding to the second one of the
spaces (e.g., if
apparatus 10 comprises more than one space between separators 118). In some
embodiments,
one or more separators 118 may be configured or disposed to encourage rodents
to enter rodent
capture portion 119. Separators 118 can be coupled (e.g., releasably,
detachably, etc.) to at least
one of lid 18 and base 14. For example, in the embodiment shown, separators
118 are unitary
with base 14 (e.g., sidewall 30 and/or floor 94). In the embodiment shown,
separators 118 are
substantially planar. In other embodiments, separators 118 may have any shape
that permits
them to function as described in this disclosure. In the embodiment shown,
separators 118 are
substantially perpendicular to floor 94. In other embodiments, one or more of
separators 118
may be oriented at a non-parallel angle (e.g., 75, 60, 45, or less degrees)
relative to floor 94. In
the embodiment shown, separators 118 are substantially parallel to front 65
and/or back 66. In
other embodiments, one or more separators 118 may be oriented at a non-
parallel angle (e.g., 75,
60, 45, or less degrees) to front 65 and/or back 66) configured to encourage
rodents to enter
rodent capture portion 119. In some embodiments, at least one of separators
118 may be
oriented, sized, and/or shaped differently than at least one other of
separators 118. In the
embodiment shown, separators 118 are disposed such that the width (measured in
a direction
extending from front 65 to back 66) of entry portion 120 is less than a length
(measured in a
direction extending from side 63 to side 64) of entry portion 120, and may be
sized (e.g., with a
width that is small enough) to discourage rodents within a certain size range
from turning around
in entry portion 120 (and thereby from exiting apparatus 10 without entering
and/or becoming
trapped in rodent capture portion 119).
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CA 02798663 2012-12-12
[0044] In the embodiment shown, rodent capture portion 119 of chamber 22
is
configured to resist a rodent's exit from apparatus 10. In some embodiments,
an adhesive 122
(e.g., an adhesive mat) is disposed in rodent capture portion 119 of chamber
22 (e.g., coupled to
floor 94). In other embodiments, rodent capture portion 119 may contain any
suitable rodent
capture means (e.g., snap traps) and/or bait (e.g., bait configured to kill a
pest, such as poison).
[0045] In the embodiment shown, entry portion 120 of chamber 22 is in
fluid
communication with entrance opening 26 and with entrance opening 28. In the
embodiment
shown, entry portion 120 provides an entryway for a rodent entering through
one of entrance
openings 26, 28 to access rodent capture portion 119. In the embodiment shown,
entrance
openings 26 and 28 are disposed on substantially opposite sides (e.g., right
side 64 and left side
63, respectively) of apparatus 10. In the embodiment shown, entrance opening
26 and entrance
opening 28 are configured such that an axis 124 extends through both of
openings 26 and 28
(e.g., such that axis 124 is substantially parallel to floor 94). In other
embodiments, axis 124 may
extend through the entrance openings at an angle that is not perpendicular
(e.g., 75, 60, 45, or
less degrees) to the respective planes of openings 26 and 28. In other
embodiments, entrance
openings 26 and 28 may be disposed at any suitable positions relative to sides
63 and 64, front
65, and/or back 66.
[0046] In some embodiments, at least one of base 14 and lid 18 (e.g., base
14, in the
embodiment shown) comprises at least one divider disposed in entry portion
120. For example,
in the embodiment shown, base 14 includes a divider 126 that is configured to
prevent a rodent
from entering apparatus 10 through one entrance opening (e.g., 26) and exiting
apparatus 10
through another entrance opening (e.g., 28) without first passing through
rodent capture portion
119. In the embodiment shown, divider 126 is further configured to prevent a
rodent outside
apparatus 10 from seeing one entrance opening (e.g., 28) through the other
entrance opening
(e.g., 26). In the embodiment shown, divider 126 is further configured to
encourage rodents
(e.g., in entry portion 120) to enter rodent capture portion 119. In some
embodiments, divider
126 extends inward from and/or is coupled (e.g., releasably, detachably, etc.)
to sidewall 30. For
example, in the embodiment shown, divider 126 is unitary with sidewall 30. In
the embodiment
shown, divider 126 is disposed substantially midway between entrance opening
26 and entrance
opening 28. In other embodiments, divider 126 may be disposed closer to one
entrance opening
than another entrance opening. In the embodiment shown, divider 126 has a
first end 130 and a
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CA 02798663 2012-12-12
second end 134 disposed closer to rodent capture 102 portion than first end
130. In the
embodiment shown, first end 130 is wider than second end 134. In the
embodiment shown,
divider 126 is symmetric about an axis 136 such that divider 126 appears
substantially similar
whether viewed through entrance opening 26 or entrance opening 28. In the
embodiments,
second end 134 of divider 126 is a greater distance from the center of
entrance opening 26 than
at least a portion of first end 130. In some embodiments, first end 130 and
second end 134 are
substantially the same distance from the center of entrance opening 26. In the
embodiment
shown, an upper portion of divider 126 includes a recess 138 configured to
receive container 112
with and/or directly receive pheromones and/or bait (e.g., scented bait)
configured to attract
rodents.
[0047] Referring now to FIGS. 10-14 and 16-17, shown therein and
designated by the
reference numeral 10a is another embodiment of the present pest-management
apparatuses.
Apparatus 10a is similar in many respects to apparatus 10, and the differences
in apparatus 10a
relative to apparatus 10 are therefore primarily described here. While several
differences in
apparatuses 10a are described here, additional differences may be depicted in
the figures. FIGS.
10-11 depict another embodiment I8a of a lid of the present pest-management
apparatuses (e.g.,
apparatus 10a); and FIGS. 12-14 depict another embodiment 14a of a base of the
present pest-
management apparatuses (e.g., apparatus 10a). In the embodiment shown, lid 18a
is configured
to be coupled to (e.g., pivotally, detachably, etc.) base 14a (e.g., depicted
in FIGS. 16-17).
[0048] In the embodiment shown, lid 18a can comprise a latch 76a
configured to resist
separation of lid 18a and base 14a when lid 18a is in a closed configuration
relative to base I4a.
For example, in the embodiment shown, latch 76a is configured to engage a
corresponding lip or
shelf 77 in base 14a. In some embodiments, at least one of base 14a and lid
18a comprises a
release opening configured to permit a user to release lid 18a relative to
base 14a to permit the
apparatus to transition from a closed configuration to an open configuration.
For example, in the
embodiment shown, base 14a comprises release opening 142 that permits a user's
finger or other
object to extend through release opening to depress latch 76a relative to
shelf 77. For example,
The at least one of base 14a and lid 18a that comprises the release opening(s)
can be configured
such that the edge(s) defining the release opening are configured to prevent a
user from injury.
(e.g., if a user extends a finger through the release opening), such as, for
example, via beveled
edges, edges comprising a radius, and similarly smoothed edges. For example,
in the
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CA 02798663 2012-12-12
embodiment shown, the edges of base 14a that define release opening 142 are
rounded or
radiused to eliminate or exclude sharp edges that could otherwise injure or
irritate the skin of a
user that extends a finger through release opening to release latch 76a.
[0049] In some embodiments, apparatus 10a comprises one or more separators
118a
(e.g., two separators 118a, as depicted in FIG. 12) configured such that if
lid 18a and base 14a
are coupled together to define chamber 22a (e.g., in a closed configuration),
the separator(s)
divide chamber 22a into a rodent capture portion 119a and an entry portion
120a. For example,
in apparatus 10a, rodent capture portion 119a and entry portion 120a are in
fluid communication
and base 14a includes only two separators 118a that are spaced to define
pathways through
which pests (e.g., rodents) can travel from entry portion 120a to rodent
capture portion 119a that
are relatively larger than the pathways between separators 118 of base 14.
[0050] FIG. 15 depicts an embodiment 146 of a coupling member that is
configured to be
coupled to a surface (e.g., a substantially vertical surface (e.g., a wall)
exterior to apparatus 10a)
such as, for example, by one or more adhesives, bolts, screws, nails, and
similar coupling
devices. In the embodiment shown, coupling member 146 comprises a primary
(e.g., planar, in
the embodiment shown) portion 150 and a retaining portion 154 (e.g., which is
substantially
curved in the embodiment shown) that is configured to be coupled to apparatus
10a. Coupling
member 146 is configured to be used with apparatus 10a such that when (e.g.,
if) apparatus 10a
is disposed adjacent to a surface (e.g., a wall), and coupling member 146 is
coupled to the
surface and to apparatus 10a, coupling member 146 substantially prevents
apparatus 10a from
moving away from the surface (e.g., in one or more horizontal or other non-
vertical directions).
[0051] In some embodiments, at least one of base 14a and lid 18a is
configured to be
coupled to coupling member 146 (e.g., as depicted in FIGS. 16-17). For
example, in the
embodiment shown, base 14a comprises a coupling portion 158 (FIG. 14) that is
configured to be
coupled to (e.g., overlap) retaining portion 154 of coupling member 146. In
this embodiment, a
user can couple base member 150 of coupling member 146 to a (e.g., vertical)
surface and can
dispose apparatus 10a such that retention portion 158 is disposed between
retaining portion 154
and base portion 150 of coupling member 146, such that when (e.g., if) a
horizontal or other non-
vertical separating force is applied to apparatus 10a in a direction away from
primary portion 150
of coupling member 146, retaining portion 154 can apply a retaining force to
retention portion
158 of base 14a to prevent apparatus 10a from moving in the direction of the
separating force.
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CA 02798663 2012-12-12
[0052] In the embodiment shown, a portion of coupling member 146 (e.g.,
part of
primary portion 150) can ¨ but is not required to - extend (e.g., vertically)
beyond lid 18a of
apparatus 10a when apparatus 10a is coupoled to coupling member 146 to permit
a user to
distinguish one apparatus from other similar apparatuses. For example, a
number or other
indicator can be indicated or displayed on the part of primary portion 150
that extends above lid
18a (e.g., via sticker, pre-printed number or numeral, or via handwriting
applied with a pen or
the like). In some embodiments, at least one of base 14a and lid 18a can
comprise slot 162
interior to apparatus 10a (e.g., within chamber 22a) configured to permit a
user to dispose a card
with information relating to apparatus 10a in slot 162 (e.g., service records,
metrics relating to
the apparatus, and/or the like).
[0053] In the embodiments shown, apparatuses 10 and 10a (e.g., at least
one of and/or
both of bases 14 and 14a and lids 18 and 18a, respectively) may comprise
plastic. For example,
in some embodiments, bases 14 and 14a and/or lids 18 and 18a comprise a
plastic selected from
the group consisting of: polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), high impact
polystyrene (HIPS),
acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET),
polyvinyl chloride
(PVC), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), and polycarbonate/acrylonitrile
butadiene styrene
(PC/ABS), polycarbonate polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), acrylonitrile
styrene acrylate
(ASA), polyurethanes, nylon (often referred to as polyamide (PA)),
combinations thereof, and/or
other plastics or polymers. In other embodiments, apparatuses 10 and 10a
(e.g., at least one of
and/or both of bases 14 and 14a and lids 18 and 18a, respectively) comprise a
non-plastic
material, such as, for example, a metal (e.g., steel, iron, aluminum, copper,
brass, or the like),
fiberglass, carbon fiber, synthetic materials, and other suitably durable or
rigid materials.
[0054] The above specification and examples provide a complete description
of the
structure and use of exemplary embodiments. Although certain embodiments have
been
described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to
one or more
individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous
alterations to the disclosed
embodiments without departing from the scope of this invention. As such, the
various
illustrative embodiments of the present devices are not intended to be limited
to the particular
forms disclosed. Rather, they include all modifications and alternatives
falling within the scope
of the claims, and embodiments other than the one shown may include some or
all of the features
of the depicted embodiment. For example, components may be combined as a
unitary structure
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CA 02798663 2012-12-12
and/or connections may be substituted. Further, where appropriate, aspects of
any of the
examples described above may be combined with aspects of any of the other
examples described
to form further examples having comparable or different properties and
addressing the same or
different problems. Similarly, it will be understood that the benefits and
advantages described
above may relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments.
[0055] The
claims are not intended to include, and should not be interpreted to include,
means-plus- or step-plus-function limitations, unless such a limitation is
explicitly recited in a
given claim using the phrase(s) "means for" or "step for," respectively.
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