Patent Application
20090265977
This invention relates to a portable device useful for spraying a fluid mist through a sprayer head to treat the atmosphere in a desired location proximal to the device, and more particularly, to a self-contained, mobile, pump-driven mist sprayer that initiates a flow of treating fluid of desired intensity and duration. Once initiated, the flow of fluid mist through the sprayer desirably continues for an adjustable time interval. A preferred use of the system is for eradicating or repelling flying or crawling insects in locations remote from AC power outlets during the periods of significant insect activity that typically occur around dusk and dawn. An insect attractant, either alone or in combination with a pesticide, can also be dispensed using the subject device.
The liquid container has the capacity to hold 2.75 gallons of misting solution. The container also has a compartment which houses a 12 v battery, a 12 v pump/motor, and a 12 v digital timer. When set up, a ¼″ nylon high pressure tube runs from the pump to the outdoor area that the customer want to spray for insects. The misting solution is sprayed through nickel-plated nozzles that are spliced into the tubing approximated 10 feet apart and 8′-10′ off the ground.
We have been in the insect misting business for over 20 years. The applications have always been in barns (called fly spray systems), around houses, and other commercial applications. These systems are always permanently attached to a structure. When set up, a traditional system generally has a 55-gallon drum filled with the misting solution. On top of the drum lid is mounted a pump, motor and timer. When filled with the misting solution, the weight of the drum is approximately 480 lbs. In other words; immovable. Our idea was to come up with a way that people could take a system with them while camping, weekend use on the patio, etc. Our Portable Insect Misting System is lightweight, easy to set up and utilizes the technology that we have been using for years.
Problems associated with the presence of mosquitoes and other flying insects are well known, particularly during summer months when people typically engage in many outdoor activities. People have long appreciated the dangers associated with mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and equine encephalitis. More recently, publicity associated with the West Nile virus in has heightened public awareness of dangers that can be associated with mosquito bites. Additionally, people are generally aware of the pain, discomfort and potentially dangerous allergic reactions that can accompany the bites of various flying and crawling insects encountered outdoors in either urban or rural areas.
Various chemical sprays and devices have previously been used to control flying and crawling insects, spiders, and other such pests. Chemical sprays containing environmentally acceptable concentrations of insecticides or pesticides have historically been applied using hand-held sprayers, fogging machines, and the like. Such sprays are sometimes applied by governmental agencies in parks, residential neighborhoods and other high-risk urban areas, but are most often applied by individuals using hand-held sprayers in and around their own homes and yards. In more rural settings, sprayer systems have previously been used to spray insecticides or pesticides in and around barns, livestock holding areas, and the like. Other devices that have previously been used to control insects and other pests have incorporated a lure or an attractant, such as food baits, light, pheromones, or carbon dioxide, to draw the insects or pests to a trap, electrically energized grid, or poison.
Many of the prior art systems and devices for controlling insects and pests are operated directly by the user. Others are controlled by timers that are preset to initiate their function at a particular time and for a particular interval. In some cases, the electrical energy required to operate the devices, particularly those disposed in remote or rural areas where electricity is not readily available, is obtained from batteries or solar cells. U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,621, for example, discloses a pest control device for outdoor use comprising a solar-powered fan that enhances the circulation of odorous repellent to the external ambient environment. U.S. Pat. No. 5,763,873 discloses an agricultural implement for spraying herbicides on weeds that utilizes a photo-detector circuit to avoid spraying the herbicide on bare soil. The photo-detector circuit is not affected by changes in ambient lighting conditions.
Notwithstanding the systems and devices previously disclosed, a mist sprayer system is needed that is portable and does not require an AC power source, that will activate manually or by using a remote transmitter, and that will be effective for eradicating or repelling flying and crawling insects, spiders and the like from outdoor areas in which the system is deployed. A portable mist sprayer system is also needed that can be easily transported to remote locations such as camping, cook outs or out buildings away from power grids.
The present invention is a portable, self-contained, mist sprayer system that preferably comprises a direct current power supply; a container of treating fluid at a desired concentration; a motor and pump that are activated at the appropriate time as determined by the timer; at least one sprayer nozzle that will dispense a mist containing the treating fluid whenever the pump is operating; flexible tubing or other conduits providing fluid communication between the fluid source and the pump inlet, and between the pump outlet and the sprayer nozzle; and a timer that turns off the pump after a preset interval to terminate the spraying cycle. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit, a pump control module, and optionally, a remote transmitter for activating the pump control module.
The system of the invention can be easily, effectively and reliably used to dispense a variety of treating fluids, most preferably liquids containing dissolved, entrained or suspended gaseous or powdered solid components. The treating fluids are preferably dispensed as a mist, and are preferably selected from known, commercially available insecticides, pesticides, insect or pest repellents, fungicides, biocides, and the like. It will also be appreciated upon reading the disclosure that the subject system can likewise be used for dispensing other treating fluids “on demand” including, for example, liquid fertilizers, air fresheners, cooling water, and the like.
The system of the invention replaces standard timers or programmed controllers previously used in automated fixed dispensing systems, and, because the dispensing cycles are triggered manually while moving or when stable. By automatically initiating chemical treating for defined intervals in specific areas, the device becomes more user friendly and adaptable. Prior systems are usually permanently attached to a structure. When set up, a traditional system generally has a 55-gallon drum filled with the misting solution. On top of the drum lid is mounted a pump, motor and timer. When filled with the misting solution, the weight of the drum is approximately 480 lbs and far from mobile. The system of the invention allows people to take a system with them while camping, weekend use on the patio, etc. Our Portable Insect Misting System is lightweight, easy to set up and take down, and utilizes the technology that we have been using for years.
We have invented a Portable Insect Misting System that people can carry with them and use around outdoor entertainment areas to get rid or repel nuisance insects such as mosquitoes, ants, spiders, wasps, no see ums, etc.
A. Fill Hole Plug
B. Fill Hole
C. 2.75 Gallon HDPE Container
D. 12 v Digital Timer
E. 12 v Battery
F. Battery & Timer Mounting Bracket
G. 12 v Pump/Motor
H. Suction Tube
I. Return Tube
J. Pump/Motor Mounting Bracket
K. Mounting Screws
L. Nylon High-pressure Misting Tube
M. HDPE Lid
N. Lid Thumbscrews
O. Regular Nickel-plated Misting Nozzle
P. Dead-end Nickel-plated Misting Nozzle
Q. Fill Hole Plug—this is a plastic plug that is used to cover the 2″ diameter Fill Hole (Part B) in the Container (Part C). It is approximately ¾″ deep. It is not designed to be watertight.
