Mechanical guns and projectors – Fluid pressure
Reexamination Certificate
2001-08-15
2004-01-13
Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3644)
Mechanical guns and projectors
Fluid pressure
C043S132100, C102S502000, C102S370000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06675789
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a system that is useful for delivering a liquid, gel or powder containing a control agent to a target or target area that is hazardous or generally inaccessible, and for dispersing the control agent around the target or within the target area. More particularly, the invention relates to a system including a projectile, preferably a biodegradable, two-part capsule containing predetermined quantities of a dispersible control agent such as a pesticide, herbicide, biocide or fungicide in liquid, powder or gel form, in combination with a gas-propelled, projectile launching device. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of use of the subject system that causes the projectile to separate differently, depending upon the orientation of the projectile relative to the direction of travel when launched.
2. Description of Related Art
Control agents such as pesticides, herbicides, biocides and fungicides are typically applied using sprayer-type applicators or aerosol propellants. When using such devices, the active ingredient, often diluted by water or another solvent, is propelled toward a target area through a spray nozzle that typically has a range of less than about 15 feet. Difficulties are often encountered, however, in using such apparatus and methods to apply control agents to targets that are outside that range, that are located high above ground or floor level, or that are situated in otherwise hazardous locations. When sprayer devices are used to apply a pesticide to the nests or hives of swarming insects, it has been observed that the disturbed insects can follow the stream of pesticide back to its source, thereby subjecting the user to a greater likelihood of suffering painful stings and dangerous allergic reactions.
Injection devices suitable for use in extermination applications are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,564,705; 5,058,312 and 5,361,533.
A spring powered injection device for use in trapping animals is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,340,645.
Projectiles propelled by munitions or compressed gas for use in riot control are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,791,303; 3,894,492; 3,901,158; 3,951,070; 5,009,164; and 5,035,183.
Projectiles designed for paint ball applications are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,254,379; 5,353,712; 5,393,054 and 5,639,526. Such projectiles are typically sufficiently durable to withstand launching without releasing the contents but will shatter or rupture upon impact with a person or object. Paint ball projectiles can be made with rigid, semi-rigid or flexible shells and can be made using materials such as linear polymers, gelatin, moldable starch and water mixtures, for example, that are substantially impervious to the substance contained inside the shell. Where polymers are used in making the shells, a photodegradable additive can be incorporated into the polymer for environmental purposes. Various structural features and manufacturing techniques can be used in making the paint ball projectiles to affect the manner in which the projectiles burst or shatter upon impact. These include scoring, etching, dimpling and otherwise varying the wall thickness of the projectiles. Substances disclosed in the foregoing patents as being deliverable through the use of such “paint ball” type projectiles include water, glycerin, glycol, paints, dyes and other coloring agents, weighting agents, starch, vegetable oil, mineral oil, smoke and tear gas.
Additional prior art patents identified during prosecution of a prior related application are U.S. Pat. Nos. 954,591; 1,611,533; 2,028,217; 4,476,515; 4,756,118; 4,839,985; 5,775,026; and 6,145,441.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 954,591 and 2,028,217 disclose explosive projectiles containing insecticide compositions. U.S. Pat. No. 1,611,533 discloses a shooting device for discharging a bead or shot of liquid insecticide. U.S. Pat. No. 4,476,515 discloses an electrostatic sprayer for pesticides. U.S. Pat. No. 4,756,118 discloses a fire ant eradication device useful for injecting vaporized liquid containing an insecticide. U.S. Pat. No. 4,839,985 discloses a nest exterminating kit including a spring-launched projectile formed with a flexible outer wall and a relatively rigid base portion which encapsulates a liquid chemical, the projectile having an air space provided to enhance the explosive effect of the chemical as the projectile impacts a desired target. U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,026 discloses an insect bait and control station.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,441 discloses a frangible payload-dispensing projectile having a dimpled spherical capsule filled with a dispersible fill material. The spherical capsule can be made from hydrophilic colloidal materials or from synthetic organic compounds, including olefinic polymers, and can contain a fill material such s powder, particles, microcapsules, etc., mixed with a high specific gravity material.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Control agents such as pesticides, herbicides and fungicides are often needed in places that are inaccessible or difficult or dangerous to reach. Such potential use sites can include, for example, commercial buildings, warehouses, attics, barns, trees, cooling towers, and the like.
According to the present invention, a control agent delivery system is disclosed for use in safely applying substances such as pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and other biocides to targets situated in areas that are not directly accessible or that are potentially hazardous to the user.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a control agent delivery system is disclosed that comprises a projectile and a projectile launching device. The projectile preferably contains a substance selected from the group consisting of liquids, gels and powders, the substance comprising at least one control agent selected from the group consisting of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. The projectile can be selectively positioned by the user prior to launch so as to cause the projectile to release the substance containing the control agent either shortly after leaving the barrel of the projectile launching device or upon impact with a more distant target, as desired.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a projectile is disclosed that comprises an elongated, generally cylindrical, hollow body made of naturally occurring gelatin or dried animal protein, the body further comprising opposed, slidably engageable male and female sections, each section having one convex, most preferably hemispherical, closed end and one generally circular, open end, the body containing a liquid, gel or powder substance comprising at least one control agent selected from the group consisting of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides or other biocides.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, an apparatus is disclosed that comprises a projectile launching device, preferably utilizing a compressed gas source such as, for example, air, nitrogen or carbon dioxide, but most preferably carbon dioxide, as a propellant, in combination with the projectile of the invention. According to one particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the projectile launching device and projectile are cooperatively sized and configured in such manner that they are not usable in conventional firearms or in commercially available paint ball systems.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a method is disclosed for applying a control agent to a close-range target area. The method comprises the steps of providing a projectile as disclosed herein that contains a substance, most preferably diatomaceous earth or another similarly satisfactory material, that functions as a carrier for a control agent such as a pesticide, herbicide, fungicide or other biocide; loading the projectile into a projectile launching device with the projectile oriented so that the closed end of the female portion of the projectile is forwardly facing; directing the projectile launching device toward a target area; and actuating the projecti
Kiplinger Dale Vilmer
Pearce, III Robert Clarence
Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP
NCH Corporation
Rose Monty L.
Zerr John W.
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