Fishing – trapping – and vermin destroying – Vermin destroying – Insect
Reexamination Certificate
2001-03-26
2003-06-24
Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3644)
Fishing, trapping, and vermin destroying
Vermin destroying
Insect
Reexamination Certificate
active
06581325
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to relates generally to devices and methods for subterranean termite detection and control.
2. Description of Related Art
There are a variety of systems for detection and control termites known in the art, including those that incorporate housings which are implanted into the ground, and contained either an edible matrix or toxicant bait. U.S. Pat. No. 5,329,726 to Thorne et al. teaches a below ground housing for termite detection and control.
Thorne further teaches a housing which has a cartridge inserted into the housing, and the cartridge may contain either a chemical attractant to determine if termites are present or poisoned bait to kill the termites. However, to inspect the housing of Thorne to see if termites are present, one has to remove the cartridge to visually inspect it. This physically disturbs termite activity such that the termites may abandon the area and later insertion of poison could be ineffective. Further, Thorne shows a two-step method wherein the housing initially contains a non-toxic bait. If termites inhabit the housing, it is removed, and as a second step, toxic bait is inserted into the housing as a second cartridge.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,879 to Myles teaches a method, apparatus, and composition of treating social insects, including termites, with a poison and then releasing them. Myles discloses a trap for termites comprised of a PVC pipe and cardboard rolled within the pipe. The cardboard can also have a block of wood rolled within its center as a reserve food supply for termites. Myles also discloses an apparatus that uses heat as an attractant and then a repellent.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,018 to Hirose et al. teaches a device and method for luring termites which comprises an open-topped container containing wood which termites attack. Drainpipe(s) are connected to the bottom of the container, and are formed with holes through which termites can pass. Also disclosed is a method for capturing and killing termites using the termite luring device.
The ability of termites to recognize temperature anomalies is known in the art. “Location Of Food Sources By Subterranean Termites”, Ettershank, Ettershank & Whitford, J. Env. Entomol. 9:645-648 (1980), surmises an ability of subterranean termite to recognize dung pat, a preferred food source, through a temperature anomaly created by the shadow cast by the dung pat. The article supports a finding that food sources above the ground are more likely to be targeted by foraging termites, rather than subterranean food sources. Further, the article does not teach what temperature anomaly attracts the termites, as it only speculates that the cooler shadow of the dung pat on the underlying soil is the anomaly detected by termites.
The temperature anomaly that attracts the termites was however researched by the inventors herein culminating in the design and method of use disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,018 to the inventors herein and which is herein incorporated by reference.
Most termite bait stations available commercially also are relative small in size, that is around 4-9 inches in length and about 1 inch to 2¾ inch in diameter. These devices require numerous change-outs before the colony is theoretically or thought to be eliminated. After further experimentation and research by the inventors herein, the inventors herein found that even larger devices installed on top of the ground surface benefit greatly from the temperature anomaly created by exposing the upper end of the device to the sunlight. Devices ranging in size from about 4 inches in cross-section to 2-4 feet in cross-section, or even larger are recommended to effectively eliminate the colony. Such devices can capture almost whole colonies, without the need to disturb the colony when several change-outs are required.
None of the devices in the above references, save the inventor's prior patent mentioned above, address the changing philosophy of how termites behave and apply that behavior to the temperature anomaly disclosed herein and in the above mentioned patent by the inventor herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a device for the control of termites comprising an elongate housing with an inside surface, an outside surface, a lower end, and a closed upper end. The lower end of the elongate housing has an opening for access to an interior of the elongate housing.
The interior of the elongate housing houses a moisture absorbing attractant wherein when the device is placed in a desired location on a ground surface with the lower end of the elongate housing facing, that is resting on, said ground surface, a temperature anomaly detectable by termites is created when at least a portion of the elongate housing is exposed to a natural radiation of the sun so as to heat the moisture absorbing attractant and cause the moisture absorbing attractant to absorb moisture from the ground surface during the day, and as the moisture absorbing attractant cools at night, the moisture absorbing attractant releases the moisture into the ground surface.
More specifically, the thin fluting technology of cardboard, which is the preferred moisture absorbing attractant, affords the highest efficiency heat exchange in the smallest package. The housing shape improves thermal transfer of aquatic properties without the application of additional external moisture enhancement structure. The main problem with regards to the manufacturing of an enhanced thermal surfaced area inside the housing is compatibility to termites with a commercially acceptable price. The thermal dynamics of the invention begin with the formation of unique helical wave forms of the cardboard's convexity. The method of partially implanting increases the surface area over a shorter lineal length. This combination exposed to the thermal radiation of the sun dramatically induces a turbulence and culminates in an enormous increase in overall thermal transfer properties. This invention exhibits superior characteristics in air to air, water to gas, gas to water and finally on the exterior water back to gas.
The transferred state of a water solution to a gaseous state: The concept of the gaseous state offers a simple explanation of properties of water such as diffusion and saturation. As a number of molecules of water in an airborne state increases their freedom to move in all directions, a number of them return or condense to a liquid water phase which correspondingly would be greater in the evening as cooling takes place. Finally a water saturated condition achieves equilibrium. This is achieved when the rates at which the molecules go into and out of solution are equal, only then is the state of balance or equilibrium established. The inventive product achieves this characteristic.
Osmotic Pressure:
The diffusion of water into a gas is resisted by placing fluted permeable cardboard partitions between the liquid and gas volumes. The general nature of this phenomenon may be observed by implanting a so-called permeable membrane, in this case, fluted cardboard and then immerse it in water. The housing of the present invention offers a restriction to the free circulation of water allowing it only to exit from the bottom. The greater passage of water is from the diluted state into the more concentrated solution. When the hydro static pressure becomes significantly great because of the entrance of the new water through the cardboard membrane, the two opposing tendencies are balanced and the passage into or out of the cell temporarily ceases. The hydrostatic pressure is then equal to the osmotic pressure. This fact allows the present invention to remain super saturated while continuing to lose moisture exiting the bottom that is heavily cooler and more condensed then the above being held in place by osmotic pressure. These resources are replaced each and every day from shallow aquifer reserves that are unique to each geographical location. This effect demonstrates the present invention has a superior ability to ach
Gordon Laboratories, Inc.
Jordan Charles T.
LaPointe Dennis G.
Lofdahl Jordan M
Mason Law, P.A.
LandOfFree
Device and method for controlling termites does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Device and method for controlling termites, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Device and method for controlling termites will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3137873