AU7159600A - Control agent delivery system - Google Patents

Description

S&F Ref: 528666

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

V..

V

Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: NCH Corporation 2727 Chemsearch Boulevard Irving Texas 75062 United States of America Robert Clarence Pearce III Richard Henry Ashcraft Dale Vilmer Kiplinger Spruson Ferguson St Martins Tower 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 Control Agent Delivery System The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- IP Australia SDocuments received on: Batch No: 1

C

5845c CONTROL AGENT DELIVERY SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a system that is useful for delivering a liquid, 5 gel or powder to a location or target area that is hazardous or generally inaccessible. More particularly, this invention relates to the propulsive S* delivery of breakable, fracturable or rupturable projectiles containing predetermined quantities of control agents such as pesticides, herbicides, biocides and fungicides to target areas that are not otherwise easily .:oo.

10 accessible to the user. Upon impact at or near a target area, the projectile fractures or ruptures and disperses the contained substance on and around the target. The preferred propulsive force is generated with compressed gas such as air or carbon dioxide.

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.

For some purposes, such as the eradication of wasp nests, a different applicator system is needed for safety reasons even though the nest may be reachable with a conventional spray-type applicator. 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. 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. 3,340,645.

Projectiles propelled by munitions or compressed gas for use in riot control are disclosed in U.S. 3,791,303; 3,894,492; 3,901,158; 3,951,070; o 5,009,164; and 5,035,183.

oooo Projectiles designed for paint ball applications are disclosed in U.S.

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, glycerine, glycol, paints, dyes and other coloring agents, weighting agents, starch, vegetable oil, mineral oil, smoke and tear gas.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a control agent delivery system is disclosed for use in 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 containing a substance selected from the group consisting of liquids, gels and powders, the substance containing at least one control agent selected from the group consisting of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides, the projectile being 10 destructively deformable upon impact with a target.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a projectile is disclosed that comprises a substantially rigid, substantially ***spherical polymeric shell having incorporated therein a liquid, gel or powder comprising at least one control agent selected from the group consisting of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a projectile is disclosed that comprises an outer wall made of a polymeric film and contains a liquid, gel or powder comprising at least one control agent selected from the group consisting of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides.

20 According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, an apparatus is disclosed that comprises a projectile launching device, preferably utilizing a compressed gas such as air or 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 paint ball systems.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a method is disclosed for applying a control agent to a target, the method comprising the steps of providing a projectile containing a control agent such as a pesticide, herbicide, biocide or fungicide, loading the projectible into a projectile launching device, directing the projectile launching device toward a target and actuating the projectile launching device to launch the projectile at the target, the projectile being fracturable upon impact with the target or an object proximal to the target, thereby contacting the target with the control agent.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a method is disclosed for contacting or treating fauna or flora, especially pests, fungi and the like, situated in hard-to-reach or otherwise hazardous locations with a control agent through the use of a fracturable or rupturable projectile propelled by a projectile launching device from a remote location to the intended use site.

Therefore, according to a first aspect of this invention there is provided a control agent delivery system comprising a projectile containing a substance selected from the group consisting of liquids, gels and powders, the substance containing at least one control agent selected from the group consisting of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides, the projecile being destructively deformable upon impact with a target.

According to a second aspect of this invention there is provided a method for applying a control agent to a target, the method comprising the steps of providing a projectile containing a control agent selected from the group consisting of pesticide, herbicide and fungicide, loading the projectile into a projectile launching device, directing ooo• S•the projectile launching device toward a target and actuating the projectile launching S"device to propel the projectile toward the target, the projectile being destructively deformable upon impact at the target to disperse the control agent in an area proximal to the target, thereby contacting the target with the control agent.

According to a third aspect of this invention there is provided the wasp nest removal product comprising a destructively deformable projectile containing at least one pesticide lethal to wasps.

[R:\LIBUU35876.doc:mcc 6 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The apparatus of the invention is further described and explained in relation to the following figures of the drawings wherein: FIG. 1 is a simplified perspective view of the control agent delivery system of the invention being used to remove a wasp nest from an overhead support; FIG. 2 is a simplified cross-sectional elevation view depicting a projectile of the invention having disposed therein a control agent in the form of a powder containing a control agent; and FIG. 3 is a simplified perspective view of another embodiment of the projectile portion of the invention.

oo DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 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, barns, trees, cooling towers, and the like. Sometimes the potential use site is accessible but presents another potential danger, such as swarming and stinging insects, to a user who attempts to apply a control agent using conventional aerosols or other sprayer devices. Most spray applicators for control agents such as pesticides, herbicides and fungicides are only useful for targets located within about 15 feet of the user.

*10 A need also exists for a control agent delivery system that can deliver a greater force to a target than can be generated using conventional spray devices without resorting to munitions or explosives. An example of this need is the removal of a wasp nest, which can be difficult or impossible to displace from an out-of-reach supporting surface by sprays alone.

15 Referring to FIG. 1, control agent delivery system 10 of the invention *e preferably comprises projectile 12 in combination with projectile launching device 14, which is depicted as used in accordance with the method of the invention to launch projectile 12 toward a target 15 along a trajectory indicated by arrows 18. Projectile launching device 14 can be made in many different ways and configurations, but preferably comprises a compressed gas delivery tube or port 48 that communicates with and directs controlled bursts of compressed gas from a source (not shown) to a projectile launch chamber 50. It will be appreciated upon reading this disclosure that the length and configuration of launch chamber 50 can vary from that shown in FIG. 1, and can, for example, include a longer barrel to facilitate aiming projectile 12. Projectile launching device 14 is preferably easily maneuverable so as to permit variation of the launch direction and trajectory by the user. Projectile launching device 14 desirably utilizes as the projectile propellant a compressed gas such as carbon dioxide or air, which propellant can be supplied by a prepackaged, commercially available cartridge or by a manually pumped, compressed air system of a type similar to those used in commercially available paint ball or pellet guns. If desired for safety or other reasons, the caliber of projectile 12 and launch chamber 50 can be selected so as to avoid interchangeability of conventional paint balls and paint ball launching devices with those used in control agent delivery system 10 of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, projectile 12 comprises a generally spherical shell 28, having two exterior sections joined along line 30, each section having scored, etched or otherwise weakened fracture lines 32 designed to promote fragmentation and dispersion upon impact with target 15. A control agent such as a pesticide, herbicide or fungicide in liquid, gel or powder form is desirably disposed inside shell 28. Upon impact with target 15, which is 15 more particularly depicted as a wasp nest 16 in FIG. 1, shell 28 fractures, producing a plurality of scattered shell fragments 24 and dispersing control agent 26 over and around wasp nest 16 and any wasps (not shown) around the nest. The dynamic forces exerted by projectile 12 against wasp nest 16 also cause the nest to break away at its point of attachment 20 to surface 22 20 from which it was previously suspended. According to another embodiment of the invention, projectiles containing an inert substance such as wateir or a :i chemically inactive powder or gel can also be launched before or after oee°i S• projectile(s) 12 containing a control agent if, for example, additional rounds are needed in order to dislodge a suspended insect nest.

Another preferred projectile 34 of the invention is further described and explained in relation to FIG. 2, which illustrates a substantially spherical polymeric shell comprising wall sections 36a and 36b joihed along seam 38.

Wall sections 36a and 36b can be molded, for example, from a linear polymer such as crystal polystyrene, which is relatively brittle and inflexible compared to modified impact-resistant polymers, and consequently, more likely to shatter upon impact when launched against a solid target according to the method of the invention. Optional known additives that promote photodegradation or biodegradation of the polymer following use can also be included if desired. The wall thickness of wall sections 36a, 36b can be selected according to the size and weight of the projectile, and the magnitude of the propulsive force, to avoid fracturing during launch but to fracture upon impact with a target. As previously mentioned, weakened fracture lines as depicted in FIG. 1 can also be incorporated into the structure of wall sections 36a, 36b to affect the likelihood and pattern of disintegration upon impact.

One preferred way to join wall sections 36a, 36b to produce a continuous shell for projectile 34 is by sonic welding. Seams 38 can be molded in a configuration that will promote frictional engagement and weldability using known technology. Structures and manufacturing techniques for producing and filling shells for projectiles 34 that resist fracture i '"15 during launching but promote complete breakage upon impact with a target, are disclosed, for example, in United States Patent Nos. 5,254,379 and 5,639,526, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein and •log made a part hereof.

Referring again to FIG. 2, substance 40 contained inside the shell of 20 projectile 34 can be in liquid, solid or gel form, and if a solid, is preferably a finely divided powder. Where substance 40 is a liquid, a more consistent .:i flight path from the projectile launching device to the target is facilitated by *O*minimizing any unfilled space inside the shell and by incorporating a weighting agent such as an inert powder into the liquid. In producing substance 40 to be loaded into projectiles 34, an inert carrier or diluent can be used in addition to the control agent to increase weight or volume as desired. Satisfactory carrier materials for particular systems can include, for example, water, glycols, diatomaceous earth, fumed silica or corn starch, and mixtures thereof.

FIG. 3 discloses one of many other alternate embodiments of projectile configurations useful in the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, projectile 42, which contains a substance comprising a control agent, is shaped more like a conventional munitions cartridge and preferably comprises a substantially rigid, open-ended, cylindrical body 44 attached to a destructively deformable nose 46 that desirably fragments upon impact with a target to disperse the control agent. Most preferably, cylindrical body 44 is also designed and constructed in such manner that it fragments upon impact to improve dispersion of the control agent. Projectiles of this general configuration are disclosed, for example, in United States Patent Nos.

3,791,303; 3,901,158; and 5,009,164.

Particularly preferred control agents for use in the invention include pesticides, herbicides and fungicides at concentrations consistent with those used in conventional applicators, although it will be understood and 15 appreciated upon reading this disclosure that other control agents such as antimicrobial agents, algaecides, animal control agents, spill control agents and the like can also be used within the system and method of the invention and that dosage rates may vary.

Examples of pesticides that can be utilized as control agents in the 20 present invention include pyrethrin, piperonyl butoxide, permethrin, chlorpyrifos, propoxur, bacillus thuringiensis, hydromethylnon, fipronil and :i other similarly effective compounds.

.eO.ei 0 Examples of herbicides that can be utilized as control agents in the present invention include bromacil, dicamba, glyphosate and other similarly effective compounds.

Examples of fungicides that can be utilized as control agents in the present invention include benomyl, cyproconazole, imazalil and other similarly effective compounds.

According to the method of the invention, a destructively deformable projectile is filled with a substance containing a control agent such as a 11 pesticide, herbicide, fungicide or other biocide, loaded into a projectile launching device, directed toward a target and selectively launched toward the target by activating the projectile launching device. The projectile is preferably propelled toward the target by a burst of compressed gas such as carbon dioxide or air that generates a force applied to the projectile within the projectile launching device. The projectile destructively deforms upon impact with the target or with another object near the target by rupturing, fracturing or the like to disperse the control agent over the target and an area proximal to the target. According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the subject method also includes the step of physically displacing the target from one position to another upon impact by a projectile as described above.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, at least one projectile containing only an inert substance is launched toward a target either prior or subsequent to launching a projectile containing a control agent.

15 Using the system and method of the invention, control agents are successfully delivered and applied to targets at distances ranging from about 10 to about 45 feet or more from the user with reduced hazard and risk to So the user. The system and method of the invention are useful for treating areas that are dangerous or not otherwise accessible using known 20 conventional applicator means for like agents.

Other alterations and modifications of the invention will likewise become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the present disclosure, and it is intended that the scope of the invention disclosed herein be limited only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims to which the inventors are legally entitled.

Claims (42)

1. A control agent delivery system comprising a projectile containing a substance selected from the group consisting of liquids, gels and powders, the substance containing at least one control agent selected from the group consisting of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides, the projectile being destructively deformable upon impact with a target.

2. The control agent delivery system of claim 1 wherein the projectile is fracturable upon impact with a target.

3. The control agent delivery system of claim 1 wherein the projectile is rupturable upon impact with a target.

4. The control agent delivery system of claim 2 wherein the projectile comprises a substantially rigid, polymeric shell.

The control agent delivery system of claim 4 wherein the shell is made of polystyrene.

6. The control agent delivery system of claim 4 wherein the shell is substantially spherical.

7. The control agent delivery system of claim 3 wherein the projectile comprises an outer wall made of a polymeric film.

8. The control agent delivery system of claim 7 wherein the polymeric film is weakened at predetermined locations.

9. The control agent delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a projectile launching device.

The control agent delivery system of claim 9 wherein the projectile launching device further comprises a source of compressed gas propellant.

11. The control agent delivery system of claim 10 wherein the compressed gas is selected from the group consisting of air and carbon dioxide.

12. The control agent delivery system of any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the substance is a powder further comprising a filler material selected from the group consisting of diatomaceous earth, fumed silica, cornstarch and mixtures thereof.

13. The control agent delivery system of any one claims 1 to 12 wherein the control agent is a pesticide selected from the group consisting of pyrethrin, piperonyl butoxide, permethrin, chlorpyifos, propoxur, bacillus thuringiensis, hydromethylnon and fipronil.

14. The control agent delivery system of any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the control agent is a herbicide selected from the group consisting of bromacil, dicamba and glyphosate.

The control agent delivery system of any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the control agent is a fungicide selected from the group consisting ofbenomyl, cyproconazole and imazalil.

16. The control agent delivery system of any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the oo substance comprises at least one pesticide and at least one pest attractant.

17. The control agent delivery system of claim 16 wherein the pest attractant is a feeding attractant.

18. The control agent delivery system of claim 16 wherein the pest attractant is a pheromone.

19. A method for applying a control agent to a target, the method comprising the steps of providing a projectile containing a control agent selected from the group consisting of a pesticide, herbicide and fungicide, loading the projectile into a projectile launching device, directing the projectile launching device toward a target and actuating the projectile launching device to propel the projectile toward the target, the projectile being destructively deformable upon impact at the target to disperse the control agent in an area proximal to the target, thereby contacting the target with the control agent.

The method of claim 19 wherein the projectile is destructively deformable upon impact with an object proximal to the target. [R:\LIBUU]35876.doc:mcc

21. The method of claim 19 wherein the projectile is fracturable upon impact at the target.

22. The method of claim 19 wherein the projectile is rupturable upon impact at the target.

23. The method of claim 19 wherein the projectile is propelled toward the target from the projectile launching device by a compressed gas.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the compressed gas is selected from the group consisting of air and carbon dioxide.

The method of any one of claims 19 to 24 wherein the control agent is dispersed in a liquid.

26. The method of any one of claims 19 to 24 wherein the control agent is dispersed in a gel.

27. The method of any one of claims 19 to 24 wherein the control agent is dispersed in a powder.

28. The method of any one of claims 19 to 27 wherein the target is coated by the control agent.

29. The method of any one of claims 19 to 28 comprising the further step of displacing the target upon impact by the projectile.

30. The method of any one of claims 19 to 29 comprising the additional step of subsequently launching toward a target at least one destructively deformable projectile containing a substance selected from the group consisting of liquids, gels and powders, wherein said substance does not contain a control agent.

31. The method of any one of claims 19 to 30 wherein the control agent is a pesticide selected from the group consisting of pyrethrin, piperonyl butoxide, permethrin, chlorpyrifos, propoxur, bacillus thuringiensis, hydromethylnon and fipronil.

32. The method of any one of claims 19 to 30 wherein the control agent is a herbicide selected from the group consisting ofbromacil, dicamba and glyphosate.

33. The method of any one of claims 19 to 30 wherein the control agent is a fungicide selected from the group consisting of benomyl, cyproconazole and imazalil.

34. A wasp nest removal product comprising a destructively deformable projectile containing at least one pesticide lethal to wasps.

The wasp nest removal product of claim 34 wherein the pesticide is selected from the group consisting of pyrethrin, piperonyl butoxide, permethrin, chlorpyrifos, propoxur, bacillus thuringiensis, hydromethylnon and fipronil. [R:\LIBUU]35876.doc:mcc

36. The wasp nest removal product of claim 34 or claim 35 wherein the projectile further comprises a carrier liquid, gel or powder.

37. The wasp nest removal product of any one of claims 34 to 36 wherein projectile comprises a substantially rigid shell.

38. The wasp nest removal product of claim 37 wherein the shell is a polymeric material that is fracturable upon impact with a wasp nest.

39. The wasp nest removal product of claim 37 wherein the shell is substantially spherical.

A control agent delivery system, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

41. A method for applying a control agent to a target, substantially as hereinbefore described.

42. A wasp nest removal product, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated 9 November, 2000 S" NCH Corporation Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON FERGUSON *SSS* S *SSSS* [R:\LIBUU]35876doc:mcc