Fishing – trapping – and vermin destroying – Vermin destroying – Insect
Reexamination Certificate
2001-03-28
2003-04-08
Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3644)
Fishing, trapping, and vermin destroying
Vermin destroying
Insect
Reexamination Certificate
active
06543182
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention is generally directed to the monitoring and/or controlling of termite activity in a selected area and, more particularly, to improved apparatus adapted to enable and enhance such monitoring and/or controlling.
BACKGROUND ART
Many well-known techniques have been developed for inducing termites to establish routes or networks from their foraging channels or tunnels to a monitoring station in order to confirm the occurrence of termite activity in a selected area, and thereafter to arrest further destruction by such insects by causing them to ingest certain types of pesticides, thereby controlling such termite activity. Examples of termite baiting devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,555,672 to Thorne et al. and 5,695,776 to Ballard et al. Thorne et al. disclose the use of a non-toxic bait material provided in the form of a chemical composition consisting of an agar mixture, decayed birch, uric acid and water, as well as the use of a delayed-action pesticide such as hydramethylnon. Ballard et al. disclose the use of wood treated with a slow-acting toxicant such as sulfluramid. Unlike the present invention disclosed hereinbelow, none of the presently-known techniques, of which the above-described references are representative, are believed to have adequately addressed structural solutions for attracting, monitoring and/or controlling termite activity while avoiding having to primarily depend on baiting compositions. In particular, while there appears to have been some acknowledgment of the fact that termites are attracted to certain types of surfaces, this line of inquiry has not been sufficiently explored in the development of termite monitoring and/or control. It is thus believed that there remains room for improvement in this area.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention broadly results from the realization that structural paths such as grooves or channels, integrated with a housing for a termite monitoring and/or controlling station or similar device, can be utilized to attract termites to such monitoring and/or controlling station or device.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a housing is provided for a station or device adapted for monitoring and/or controlling termites or other insects, and which is adapted to be situated in or on soil or sand. The housing contains a substance attractive for termite exploration and/or termite feeding, and comprises at least one wall and at least one surface, which surface defines at least one path attractive to termites. The housing can be adapted to receive a second insect monitoring and/or controlling device.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a termite monitoring and/or controlling apparatus comprises a wall having an axial length, which wall is adapted for substantially subterranean installation at a ground location. An attractive material suitable for promoting termite activity is disposed proximate to the wall. A structure is disposed at the wall having an elongate volume and defining a path attractive to termites.
The present invention also provides a method for monitoring and/or controlling termites. A locus to be monitored and/or controlled is determined, and a ground covering device is placed on the locus or on a portion thereof, thereby substantially lowering the temperature of the locus or the portion of the locus. A termiticidal composition can be introduced in or on the locus.
According to an additional aspect of the present invention, a termite monitoring and/or controlling apparatus comprises a subterranean portion, an above-ground portion, and means for attaching the above-ground portion to the subterranean portion. The subterranean portion includes a wall having a longitudinal axis, a first attractive material suitable for promoting termite activity disposed proximate to the wall, and a structure disposed at the wall having an elongate volume and defining a path attractive to termites. The above-ground portion includes an enclosure and a second attractive substance disposed in the enclosure.
According to an additional embodiment of the present invention, a termite monitoring and/or controlling apparatus comprises a housing, a first termite attractive material, and a second termite attractive material. The housing is adapted for subterranean installation at a ground location, and includes a wall disposed along a longitudinal axis of the housing. The wall includes a termite attractive channel, and the channel has a plurality of termite attractive apertures. The first termite attractive material is disposed within the housing adjacent to the apertures, and has an axial bore generally parallel with the longitudinal axis. The second termite attractive material is disposed within the axial bore.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a termite monitoring and/or controlling apparatus comprises a housing, a first termite attractive material, a lid, a second termite attractive material, a deflector member, and a third termite attractive material. The housing has a plurality of termite attractive channels, a partially closed end, and an open end opposing the partially closed end. The channels have a plurality of termite attractive apertures. The housing is adapted for subterranean installation at a ground location. The first termite attractive material has a centrally disposed bore, and is disposed within the housing adjacent to the apertures. The lid has a housing retaining hole and a plurality of termite attractive orifices. The lid is adapted for being positioned substantially flush with the ground location. The open end of the housing is supported by the housing retaining hole. The second termite attractive material is disposed within the lid adjacent to its termite attractive orifices. The deflector member has a platform, an elongate wedge downwardly extending perpendicular to the platform, a wedge slot provided within the elongate wedge, and a plurality of termite attractive grooves provided along the elongate wedge adjacent to the wedge slot. The platform is removably attached to the lid and is adapted for being positioned substantially flush with the ground location. The third termite attractive material is located within the wedge slot of the deflector member adjacent to the grooves.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a termite monitoring and/or controlling apparatus comprises a housing, a first termite attractive material, a core, a second termite attractive material, a lid, a third termite attractive material, a deflector member, and a fourth termite attractive material. The housing has a plurality of termite attractive channels, a partially closed end, and an open end opposing the partially closed end. The channels have a plurality of termite attractive apertures. The housing is adapted for subterranean installation at a ground location. The first termite attractive material has a centrally disposed bore, and is disposed within the housing adjacent to the apertures. The core has a jacket, a partially opened end, and an open end. The jacket has a plurality of termite attractive slits, and is positioned within the centrally disposed bore of the first attractive material. The open end of the core rests against the partially closed end of the housing within the housing. The second termite attractive material is located within the core and is adjacent to the slits. The lid has a housing retaining hole therein, and a plurality of termite attractive orifices. The open end of the housing is supported by the housing retaining hole. The lid is adapted for being positioned substantially flush with the ground location. The third termite attractive material is disposed within the lid adjacent to the orifices. The deflector member has a platform, an elongate wedge downwardly extending from the platform, a wedge slot provided within the elongate wedge, and a plurality of termite attractive grooves provided along the elongate wedge adjacent to the wedge slot. The platform is removably attached to t
Hope, III Joe H.
Snell Eric J.
Yeagle Bruce C.
Aventis CropScience S.A.
Connolly Bove Lodge and Hutz LLP
Jordan Charles T.
Lofdahl Jordan M
LandOfFree
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