Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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VERTICAL INSECT BAIT STATION WITH GROUND ANCHOR
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
N/A
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED
RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
N/A
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is
subject to
copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile
reproduction by
anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent
and Trademark
Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to devices for use in exterminating pests, and
more
particularly to an insect bait station that contains a liquid, gel, or
granular pest control substance,
such as an insecticide or pesticide.
2. Description of the Background Art
Human populations have long encountered problems co-existing with various
insects,
particularly ants. There are more than ten thousand species of ants, a number
of which infest
structures, lawns, parks, and other areas frequented by humans, as well as
agriculture and crops.
The various species of ants vary widely in many respects including size,
color, shape,
distribution, food preference, and nest locations. Many other species of ants
routinely disrupt
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activities in homes, offices, parks, and protect homopteran pests that can
impact agriculture crops
and ornamental plantings. As a result, controlling insect populations is
therefore necessary.
A primary means of pest control involves the use of pest control substances,
commonly
referred to as pesticides or insecticides. Those substances typically comprise
toxicants, such as
liquid poison. The spraying of liquid poison is a common method of pest
control, Spraying
liquid poison, however, involves a number of inherent disadvantages. A primary
disadvantage
involves the risk of exposing humans to the toxic chemical formulations.
Furthermore, spraying
poison is often harmful to the environment and often causes damage to
vegetation and other
animal species in addition to the targeted pest population. In addition,
liquid poison that has
been applied by spraying often degrades over time and/or is washed away by
rain or irrigation
water thereby reducing effectiveness and requiring repeated treatment and/or
the use of greater
quantities. Toxicants can also leach into the soil and end up contaminating
the ground water.
For these and other reasons it has been found preferable to contain liquid or
gel toxicants
in bait stations, which stations provide structures that contain the poison
while providing access
to insects. Bait stations differ from trap devices in that the insect is not
killed at the bait station.
Instead, bait which is poisoned with pesticide is provided for consumption by
the insect. The
bait typically includes an attractant component that is intended to lure the
insects, and a toxicant
component that is intended to exterminate the insects, The insect enters the
bait station, devours
the bait, exits the bait station, and dies elsewhere. The background art
reveals a number of
attempts directed to pest control, The .following patents provide examples of
these attempts.
4,648,201 Sherman 5,875,586 Ballard et al.
4,782,621 Wissm an 5,943,816 Hyatt et al.
4,793,093 Gentile 5,943,817 Miller
4,823,506 Demarest et at. 5,953,854 Hyatt
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4,841,669 Demarest et al, 5,983,558 Las et al,
5,446,992 Stewart 6,041,542 Payton et al,
5,501,033 Weller 6,189,259 Soller
5,775,026 Pearce et al. 6,195,933 Woodruff
5,802,761 Demarest et al. 6,216,384 Dickson et al.
6,532,696 Clark III, et al.
U.S. Patent No. 4,793,093, issued to Gentile, discloses a feeding station for
vermin that
allows for ingress of the vermin to feed on poisoned bait held at a central
portion therein, The
bait is contained within a central well and ingress is facilitated by an
inclined ramp leading to the
chamber. A cover is joined to the top of the base member to cover the central
well holding the
poisoned bait.
U.S. Patent Nos. 4,823,506 and 4,841,669, issued to Demarest et al., each
disclose an
insect bait device for exterminating crawling insects. The devices comprise
first and second
housing portions joinable to form a housing that defines generally
unobstructed entry into the
device by an insect. U.S. Patent No. 5,802,761, also issued to Demarest et
al., discloses a bait
station including a base defining a bait-cup and a cover fastened to the base.
The Cover and base
cooperate to form a door and walkway to admit targeted insects to enter the
bait station thus
gaining access to the bait cup.
U.S. Patent No. 5,501,033, issued to Weller, discloses a liquid delivery bait
station
having two reservoirs and fluid transfer systems to allow sequential delivery
of two liquids. The
liquids are preferably an insect attractant that is first delivered into an
absorbent feeding pad and
an insect toxicant that is next delivered to the absorbent pad.
U.S. Patent No. 5,775,026, issued to Pearce et A, discloses an insect bait
station for
attracting and killing insects that comprises a substantially fiat
configuration with insecticide
formulated as a solid coating on the surface of a sheet of moisture free
material, and one or more
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breakable ampoules containing an attractant composition. The ampoules are held
in a
compressible portion of the housing permitting them to be manually broken to
discharge their
contents on command thereby releasing attractant vapors.
U.S. Patent No. 5,875,586, issued to Ballard et al., discloses a refillable
liquid bait station
formed to allow access by insects, but not by larger animals, The bait station
includes a
transparent housing that protects the liquid bait from wind and rain and which
further prevents
leakage if the bait station is tumbled and/or placed in an incorrect position
by use of a series of
inner walls and chambers.
.Patent No. 5,943,816, issued to Hyatt et al., discloses an insect bait
station for
to delivering a liquid toxicant. The bait station includes a reservoir, a
feeding disk with capillary
feeding pores, and a base that seals the feeding pores when configured in a
closed position. U.S.
Patent No, 5,953,854, also issued to Hyatt, discloses a spill resistant
granular bait station having
a tunnel entrance leading to an interior bridged member haying an inner wall
leading from the
bottom surface to an inner surface haying an access opening in the bridge
member leading to a
bait source contained within the station. A cover defines a recessed portion
thereon closely
cooperating with the access opening in the base.
Patent No. 6,041,542, issued to Payton et al., discloses a spill-resistant
liquid bait
station for dispensing liquid bait. The liquid bait is contained in a
reservoir at the bottom of the
bait station base and a lid is secured over the end of the base. The interior
of the bait station is
configured for containing the liquid bait if the bait station is inverted.
Insects enter the bait
station through one or more access ports and then travel through an interior
passageway to the
liquid bait.
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U.S, Patent No. 6,189,259, issued to Soller, discloses an insect bait-and-
switch liquid
delivery apparatus for the control of insects, The apparatus includes a
reservoir defining a first
chamber containing a liquid attractant and a second chamber containing a
liquid toxicant. A first
feeding station is provided in the first chamber and a second feeding station
is provided in the
second chamber. A passageway connects the first and second chambers, and an
access port is
disposed to initially prevent or limit access of an insect to the second
feeding station during an
initial feeding period and the subsequently enable access to the second
feeding station via the
passageway after the initial feeding period.
U.S. Patent No. 6,195,933, issued to Woodruff, discloses a bait station for
delivery of
liquid insecticide formed from a base having at least one feeding station and
a reservoir for
storing liquid beneath the base. The insecticide is transferred by capillary
action from the
reservoir to the feeding station via a connecting tube.
US. Patent No, 6,216,384, issued to Dickson et al., discloses an insect bait
station having
a continuous outer wall leading from a base to an upper annular surface having
a central axial
recessed opening therein leading down to a bait source contained in the
interior of the station,
The interior of the station defines an inverted conical concave part for
concentrating the bait to
the lowest point of the cone in proximity with an opening in the bottom of the
central axial
recessed opening.
U.S. Patent No. 6,532,696, issued to Clark Ill, et at, discloses a holder for
liquid insect
bait comprising a sealed container having a bottom portion defining contours
that form reservoirs
and channels wherein liquid bait may be located and flow. The device is
deployed by orienting
the device in a vertical configuration whereby the liquid bait flows to
specified internal
reservoirs, cutting an entrance opening in the container at a specified
location, and placing the
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container in a horizontal configuration wherein the liquid bait flows to
additional reservoirs
accessible to the insects.
The present inventor has contributed significant advancements in the art of
insecticide
delivery using insect bait stations. In U.S, Patent No. 6,871,444, the present
inventor discloses a
user activated, disposable insect bait station particularly adapted for use
with liquid bait,
including attractants and toxicants. The bait station is formed as a sealed
container fabricated
from two primary parts, an upper half and a lower half sealingly connected
along common
peripheral edges. The bait station includes first and second internal
chambers. The first internal
chamber contains a liquid bait reservoir wherein all of the liquid bait is
stored prior to use, and
the second internal chamber is adapted to function as an entrance providing
insects access to the
second chamber. Manual manipulation of the bait station is required for
activation whereby a
frangible seal is broken placing the first and second chambers in fluid
communication thereby
allowing liquid bait to flow into the second chamber. Further advancements
relating to the bait
station are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,310,908 in the name of the present
inventor.
In U.S. Patent No. 6,502,348, the present inventor advanced the art by
providing a
compact reusable bait station having an inner bait chamber with small access
ports sized to allow
access by an insect and nothing larger providing limited outside access that
functions to reduce
evaporation, drying, and contamination of the liquid bait by preventing
unnecessary exposure to
the environment. A freely floating raft provides insects with access to the
bait while preventing
inadvertent drowning which would thereby reduce the effectiveness of the bait
station.
In 'U.S. Patent No. 7,937,886, the present inventor advanced the art by
providing a spill-
resistant insect bait station having a generally hollow blow molded main body
defining an
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internal reservoir for containing flowable bait. A ground anchor projects
downwardly from the
bait station for anchoring the bait station to the ground.
While the insect bait stations disclosed in the art are generally suitable for
the purposes
for which they are intended, there exists a need for an improved spill
resistant insect bait station
designed for secure anchorage to the ground.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the limitations and disadvantages present in
the art by
providing a generally cylindrical, vertically disposed insect bait station
adapted with an
improved ground anchor to allow for anchored deployment on the ground. In a
preferred
embodiment, the bait station comprises a main body having an upper portion
defining a generally
cylindrical, vertically disposed reservoir having an open top for containing a
flowable, preferably
liquid, insect bait. A float is disposed within the reservoir and is buoyantly
supported on the
surface of the liquid bait to provide insects a floor upon which to stand
thereby preventing
inadvertent drowning. A vertical, axially disposed shaft or spindle projects
upward from the
bottom of the reservoir and is insertedly received within an aperture formed
in the float thereby
providing a guide to maintain the float properly oriented and centered within
the reservoir. A
removable cover sized for removable installation in covering relation with the
reservoir and
functions to provide insects with access to the reservoir while protecting the
bait from
environmental degradation, In a preferred embodiment, the cover has a
generally cylindrical wall
having an inner surface disposed in generally concentric radially spaced
relation with the outer
surface of said bait reservoir thereby forming a gap or space through which
insects may pass to
gain access to the open top of the bait reservoir and the liquid bait
contained therein. The lower
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edge of the cover includes a plurality of notches that define openings to
allow insects to enter the
bait station interior. The bait reservoir outer surface includes a plurality
of radially outwardly
projecting ribs which provide dual functions, namely as guides to direct
insects upward toward
the top of the reservoir, and as spacers between the reservoir and the cover.
An improved
ground anchor projects downward from the bottom of the main body, and includes
a shaft with
recessed areas that function to provide a more secured attachment to the
earth.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a spill
resistant insect bait
station.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an insect bait
station that is
deployed in a vertical configuration so as to have a minimal footprint.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such an insect bait
station having
an internal bait reservoir having a float stabilized by vertically disposed
axial shaft.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such an insect bait
station with an
improved ground anchor.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved insect
bait station
having a cover that protecting the bait from environmental degradation.
Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration
of the
ensuing description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present
invention will
become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered
in conjunction
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with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate
the same or
similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
FIG 1 is a top perspective view of an insect bait station in accordance with
the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is bottom perspective view thereof;
FIG. 3 is a front view thereof;
FIG, 4 is a rear view thereof.;
FIG, 5 is a left side view thereof;
FIG. 6 is a right side view thereof;
FIG. 7 is a top view thereof;
FIG. 8 is a bottom view thereof;
Fla 9 is an exploded top perspective view thereof;
FIG. 10 is an exploded bottom perspective view thereof;
FIG. 11 is an exploded front view thereof;
5 FIG. 12 is an exploded rear view thereof;
FIG. 13 is an exploded left side view thereof;
FIG. 14 is an exploded right side view thereof;
FIG. 1 5 is a top view of the insect bait station with the cover disposed
alongside; and
FIG. 16 is a bottom view thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With reference to the drawings, FIGS. 1 ¨16 depict a generally cylindrical,
vertically
disposed insect bait station, generally referenced as 10, in accordance with
the present invention,
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Bait station 10 has a height that is significantly greater than its width or
diameter. In a prefermd
embodiment, bait station 10 has a height that is approximately four times (4x)
its width or
diameter. Accordingly, bait station 10 is characterized as having its major or
largest dimension
constitute its vertical dimension, whereby bait station 10 has a relatively
small deployed
footprint. Bait station 10 comprises a reusable, refillable bait station that
may be deployed in a -
vertically standing configuration that minimizes the required deployed
footprint. As best
illustrated in FIGS, 9 ¨ 14, bait station 10 comprises a main body 12 and a
removable cover 14.
Main body 12 and cover 14 are preferably formed from a suitable plastic
material, and may be
fabricated by an injection molding process. Main body 12 is preferably
fabricated from
transparent or translucent material to allow the user to visually check the
fill level as more fully
discussed herein below.
Main body 12 includes an upper portion having a base 16 and a generally
cylindrical,
vertically disposed wall 18 projecting upward from base 16, and a lower
portion including a
ground anchor as further discussed below, Wall 18 is joined at its lower most
portion to base 16
and has an open top, referenced as 18a, such that an internal volume, bounded
by the upper
surface of base 16 and the interior surface of wall 18, forms a reservoir
capable of receiving and
containing bait, such as a liquid insecticide. The top 18a of wall 18 may be
provided with a
removable seal such that bait station 10 may be pre-filled with liquid bait at
the factory. In
accordance with this pre-filled embodiment, the user would remove the seal
prior to deploying
the bait station. As noted above, at least wall 18 is preferably fabricated
from transparent or
translucent material to allow for visual determination of liquid bait fill
level. A float 20,
comprising a buoyant member capable of floating on the liquid bait is disposed
within the
reservoir and provides insects with a floor upon which to stand thereby
preventing inadvertent
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drowning, Preventing inadvertent drowning is important since dead insects give
off a chemical
signal that warns other insects to stay clear of the immediate area, Float 20
preferably comprises
a disk-shaped structure 'formed of a suitable buoyant material, and has a
diameter that is less than
the inner diameter of cylindrical reservoir wall 18 such that an annular space
or gap is formed
between the outer edge of float 20 and wall 18 whereby insects have direct
access to the liquid
bait. Float 20 further defines an axially disposed aperture, referenced as 21,
A vertical, axially
disposed shaft or spindle 22 projects upward from the bottom of the reservoir
and is insertedly
received within aperture 21 thereby providing a guide to maintain the float
properly oriented and
centered within the reservoir. As should be apparent, float 20 is buoyantly
supported by liquid
bait contained within the reservoir and is capable of moving up and down in
conjunction with the -
liquid bait level thereby always providing insects with access to the bait,
Removable cover 14 is intended to cover the bait reservoir thereby protecting
the bait
from environmental degradation by minimizing the evaporation rate of the
liquid bait, as well as
protecting the bait from environmental contamination as well as dilution by
rainfall and/or water
sprayed by surrounding irrigation systems. In a preferred embodiment, cover 14
includes a
vertical side wall 30 having an upper portion terminating in a closed top 32
and a lower portion
terminating in a peripheral lower edge 34 defining an open end. Side wall 30
has faceted outer
surfaces that improve the user's ability to grip the cover as more fully
explained below. Side
wall 30 is sized such that it has an inner surface is larger in diameter than
the outer surface of
cylindrical wall 18 such that cover 14 may he disposed in generally concentric
radially spaced
relation therewith thereby forming a gap or space through which insects may
pass to gain access
to the open top 18a of the bait reservoir, Cover 14 has a vertical dimension
that allows for
portions of lower edge 34 to engage the upper surface of base 16 when
operatively installed.
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Side wall 30 preferably further defines two diametrically opposed outward
planar surfaces 31
that provide space for affixation of the manufacturer's trademark or other
indieia.
Cover 14 includes a lower edge 34 that defines a pair of diametrically opposed
cutout
portions 36 that define access openings that allow insects to enter the bait
station when cover 14
is operatively installed. A vertical slotted aperture 38 extends upward from
cutout portions 36
and allows the user to visually inspect the reservoir fill level by visually
exposing the transparent
or translucent reservoir wall 18 whereby the user my determine the level of
liquid bait contained
within the reservoir with the cover in place, and without having to touch the
bait station. Slotted
aperture 38 further forms additional access openings. A pair of locking
flanges 17 project
radially outward from side wall 18 along base 16, Locking flanges 17 are sized
to be received
within slotted apertures 38 on cover 14 when installed in the operative
position. Accordingly,
when cover 14 is operatively installed on main body 12, the lower edge 34
engages base 16, and
locking flanges 17 are received within slotted apertures 38 thereby helping to
secure cover 14 to
main body 12 by press fit engagement.
A further significant aspect of the present invention involves providing
internal guides to
direct insects to the open top edge 18a of the bait reservoir upon entering
bait station 10. In that
regard, the outer surface of side wall 18 defines a plurality of radially
outwardly projecting,
vertically disposed ribs 19. Ribs 19 preferably project radially outward a
sufficient distance so
as to engage, or nearly engage, the inner surface of side wall 30 of cover 14
when the cover is
operatively installed. Ribs 19 serve dual functions, namely to direct insects
upward by forming
barriers to circumferential travel, and further as reinforcing spacers between
the reservoir side
wall 18 and cover side wall 30.
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=
A farther significant aspect of the present invention involves providing bait
station 10,
and particularly the lower portion of main body 12 with an improved ground
anchor, generally
referenced as 40. Ground anchor 40 projects downward from base 16 of main body
12, and
includes a shaft 42 and a spiral earth engaging thread 44 helically projecting
from shaft 42,
Ground anchor 40 differs from a conventional ground anchor in that it
incorporates recessed
areas, generally referenced as 46, along shaft 42. Recessed areas 46 improve
integration of
ground anchor 40 with the ground by allowing earth to enter the recessed areas
46 thereby
improving resistance to rotational movement and hence providing a more secured
attachment to
the earth.
Bait station 10 is deployed for use by removing a cover 14 and screwing bait
station 10
into the ground until bottom of the main body base 16 is generally disposed at
ground level, As
noted above, the outer surface 30 of cover 14 is faceted, preferably including
6 substantially
planar surfaces forming a generally hexagonal cross-section, The cross-
sectional shape of cover
14 is significant in that it functions to aid the user in grasping and
applying rotational force to
drive ground anchor 40 into the ground. This is particularly important if the
bait station or user's
hands become wet and thus grasping becomes difficult because the cover becomes
slippery,
either by rain, morning dew, irrigation spray, or user perspiration. The user
would then remove
cover 14 and float 20, and fill the reservoir by pouring liquid bait through
open top end 18a.
Float 20 is then inserted such that spindle 22 is received within aperture 21
whereby float 20 will
ride on the surface of the liquid bait. As should be apparent float 20
minimizes evaporative loss
by substantially covering the entire surface of the liquid bait. Next cover 14
is installed such that
the diametrically opposed vertical slotted apertures 38 are aligned with and
receive locking
flanges 17,
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When operatively deployed as discussed herein, notches 36 at the lower edge of
cover
side wall 30 form openings for insects to enter the interior of the bait
station between the outer
surface of reservoir side wall 18 and the inner surface of cover 14. Ribs 19
function as barriers
that prevent the insects from traveling a significant distance
circumferentially thereby guiding
the insects upward toward the open top 18a of the bait reservoir. Insects can
traverse downward
to reach the bait, and are prevented from drowning by float 20 which provides
a buoyantly
supported surface upon which the insects may stand while ingesting the bait.
Once the insects
ingest the bait they exit the bait station to die at a location remote from
the bait station.
The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is
considered to be
to the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however,
that departures may be
made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious structural
and/or functional
modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.
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