Insect Patents (Class 43/132.1)
  • Patent number: 11963517
    Abstract: System, device and method for detecting, measuring and monitoring chemical concentrations or analytes in insect colonies and agricultural environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Inventors: Gregory J. Hummer, Matthew Hummer
  • Patent number: 11953253
    Abstract: An optoelectronic module for a light barrier for fill height monitoring of an ice collection container in a household ice maker includes a module housing, which bears a light passage surface located at the boundary between the optoelectronic module and the space outside the module for the passage of a beam of light of the light barrier. The module further has a printed circuit board accommodated in the module housing, an optoelectronic component mounted on the printed circuit board, serving as a light transmitter or receiver, with a main lobe axis, and a cylindrical light-guiding element for guidance of the light beam located in the beam path between the light passage surface and the optoelectronic component, and at a distance from the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Baumer, Johann Schenkl, Georg Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 11779004
    Abstract: An insect suppression device, and further relates to a self-moving device, a charging station, and an automatic working system that are mounted with the insect suppression device are provided. The self-moving device moves in a working area, performs a working task, and includes: a body and a movement module that is mounted on the body and drives the self-moving device to move. The self-moving device includes: an insect suppression device, mounted to the body, and a control module, controlling the movement module to move and controlling the insect suppression device to work. The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The self-moving device can move autonomously in the working area and perform an insect suppression task, and has a wide coverage area, flexible work, and high efficiency, so that automatic control can be implemented, thereby freeing a user from the harassment of insects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Positec Power Tools (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas Ellis Duncan, An Ge
  • Patent number: 11771074
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the sensor based observation of arthropods in a region where plants grow. The subject matter of the present disclosure is a device, system, method and computer program product for the sensor based observation of arthropods, by means of a camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Robert Wollenhaupt, Dennis Göke, Stefan Gröger, Ernst-Georg Schmid
  • Patent number: 11737445
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to the field of pest elimination including all life stages of bed bugs. The present disclosure includes articles, systems, and methods of heat treatment to target and kill pests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: William J. Pattison, S. John Barcay, Jason G. Lang, Christopher C. Wagner, Christopher D. Diller, Joelle F. Olson
  • Patent number: 11661399
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for inhibiting degradation of dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS) in solution. Concentrate compositions include DMTS and polar inorganic or organic solvent. The compositions can be stored in containers for at least 2 weeks at 54° C. or at least one year at room temperature and less than 50% of the DMTS degrades. The concentrate compositions can be diluted for use and combined with other components to form various solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Troy James Sunde, Steven James Lange, Joelle F. Olson
  • Patent number: 11641901
    Abstract: Disclosed is a high-temperature virus-killing mask, including a sunhat, a heating component and a mask body. The heating component comprises a high-temperature microtube and a base, both arranged in the sunhat. The high-temperature microtube is provide with a resistance wire which may be energized to generate heat to enable the temperature in the high-temperature microtube to rise up to about 200° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: WUYI UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Min Wu, Xinlin Li, Guowei Jiang, Gongfa Chen, Guangwei Chen
  • Patent number: 11589568
    Abstract: Embodiments of the inventive concept provide a portable organic entity termination applicator unit. The applicator unit can include an organic herbicide reservoir or can otherwise be an herbicideless applicator unit. The applicator unit can include an outer housing, a cold water supply line, an organic herbicide reservoir to hold organic herbicide, an herbicide adjustment valve for controlling a liquid mixture, a heater core to pre-heat the herbicide water liquid mixture, and a delivery pipe to expel the heated liquid. The applicator unit can include a fuel canister receptacle to receive a fuel canister. The heater core may heat the liquid using fuel stored in the fuel canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: WEEDS NEVER SLEEP LLC
    Inventor: Michael Peterson
  • Patent number: 11477973
    Abstract: A pest control and/or detection system generally includes an electrically conductive bait matrix including at least one carrier material that is at least one of palatable, a phagostimulant and/or consumable and/or displaceable by pests, and a plurality of electrically conductive particles. The electrically conductive particles are substantially randomly interspersed throughout the at least one carrier material. The at least one carrier material includes a thermoplastic material and/or a resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: BASF CORPORATION
    Inventors: James H. Cink, Greggory K. Storey, Kyle K. Jordan, James W. Austin, Charles E. Evanhoe, Bart Ivy, Daniel W. Engels, Daniel Freeman, Kenneth Lauffenburger, Thomas Dills, Kenneth S. Brown, Cheryl Leichter
  • Patent number: 11445720
    Abstract: A barrier system includes a substantially vertical structure with a coating layer disposed on and circumscribing a majority of the substantially vertical structure. The coating layer has a height of at least 0.25 inches, has a dried film thickness of at least 5 mils, and has an average surface roughness (Ra) of less than 10 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: 95 Applications, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Tony Gonzales, Aaron Gonzales
  • Patent number: 11439136
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and systems provide technology to detect a pest-related fault or failure of an electronic control unit (ECU). The technology may also detect a presence of one or more pests via cameras, LiDAR sensors, RADAR sensors, motion sensors, one or more sound sensors, or one or more heat sensors. The technology may also provide countermeasures to disable, remove or eradicate the pests from the vehicle. The countermeasures may include one or more of a laser to target small pests, an electrical discharge insect control system to exterminate insects, and a vibration or sound emission system to target rodents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan M. Wiesenberg, Emily S. Lerner, Mahendra T. Kute
  • Patent number: 11423530
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an intelligent replacement device and method for a trap board in a tea garden based on image channel computation. The device includes a trap board supply module, a trap board sticker removal module and a machine vision control module fixed on a machine frame, where the machine vision control module is configured to acquire an image of a present trap board in the trap board supply module, determine whether the present trap board fails according to the image, control, in response to failure of the present trap board, the trap board supply module to replace the trap board, and control the trap board sticker removal module to remove a film of a replaced trap board. The present disclosure can replace the trap board in the tea garden automatically, timely and accurately instead of the manual operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Zhejiang University
    Inventors: Xiaoli Li, Yong He, Wenkai Zhang, Li Zhou, Lei Bian
  • Patent number: 11415452
    Abstract: An optoelectronic module for a light barrier for fill height monitoring of an ice collection container in a household ice maker includes a module housing, which bears a light passage surface located at the boundary between the optoelectronic module and the space outside the module for the passage of a beam of light of the light barrier. The module further has a printed circuit board accommodated in the module housing, an optoelectronic component mounted on the printed circuit board, serving as a light transmitter or receiver, with a main lobe axis, and a cylindrical light-guiding element for guidance of the light beam located in the beam path between the light passage surface and the optoelectronic component, and at a distance from the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Baumer, Johann Schenkl, Georg Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 11297819
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a mobile heating apparatus for heating an enclosed space to a temperature sufficient to kill bed bugs. The mobile heating apparatus has a recirculation chamber having a fresh air inlet configured to receive fresh air from a fresh air area and a recirculation air inlet configured to receive recirculation air from a heated air area. The fresh air area is located outside of the area to be heated. The heated air area is located within the area to be heated. The apparatus also has an air mixture/circulation apparatus configured to mix the fresh air and the recirculation air and an air heating chamber having a heat exchanger. A mixed air inlet is in communication with the air mixture/circulation apparatus. A heated air outlet is configured to route the heated air into the heated air area. A heating apparatus is configured to provide heated combustion flow to the heat exchanger. The present invention also provides for a related method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: SISU COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Kieffer, Scott Taylor
  • Patent number: 11147257
    Abstract: A software process for controlling a configurable UAV that includes a plurality of databases of crop plants, herbicides, insecticides and weeds. An area is defined to be treated. Thereafter, a scout UAV with an on-board camera is flown over the pre-defined area. Images detected by the camera are compared with the crop, pest and weed databases to respectively identify the crop plants, insects, and weeds. The insects and weeds are then subjected to a spot blast of pesticide/herbicide to kill them. Thus, the process results in a more efficient application of treatment chemicals which leads to less adverse environmental impacts associated with the use of pesticides and herbicides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Inventors: Kenneth T. Warren, Jr., Diana P. Warren
  • Patent number: 11089810
    Abstract: Batter is applied to food products by depositing the products atop a coating pan which vibrates such that the products are transported along the pan. As this occurs, batter is supplied atop the coating pan and the products. The coating pan is preferably configured such that the products tumble across the pan, thereby better ensuring that the products are coated on all sides with batter. The products are then received on a vibrating drainage pan having a perforated drainage pan surface, whereby excess batter drains from the batter-coated products through the perforations as the products are transported across the drainage pan. Batter-coated products leaving the drainage pan can then be received by a fryer, oven, conveyor, or other food processing equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Vibratory Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: James L. Karpinsky, James M. Bakos, Stephen Demerath, Scott J. Rose
  • Patent number: 11077457
    Abstract: A method of covering a surface of a building, the method comprising spraying an expandable foam material onto the surface and allowing the foam material to solidify whereby to form a covering of the surface and a robotic vehicle configured to carry out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Q-Bot Limited
    Inventors: Tomasz B Lipinski, Peter Childs, Mathew Holloway
  • Patent number: 10945423
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling mosquito populations by eradicating mosquito eggs. The apparatus consists of a spawning tank and a multi-purpose spawning tank cover. The cover of the spawning tank is used as a depressor bowl and the spawning tank functions as a confining chamber. Experimental results show that the mosquito egg eradicating apparatus can effectively eradicate 90% of field mosquito eggs in four hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Inventor: Logan Cheng
  • Patent number: 10796275
    Abstract: Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) may be configured and deployed to maintain inventory and retrieve products for delivery. The UAVs can be equipped with a plurality of sensors used to assess the condition of inventory items, report the condition to a central control, and to retrieve inventory items. The UAVs can scan fruits and vegetables, for example, to determine the current ripeness. The UAV can then harvest the items if ready or provide a status update if they are not ready. The UAVs can be used in conjunction with transporters and harvesters to deliver products from the field or warehouse to a central control or directly to the customer. In scanning the products for readiness, the UAVs can also detect issues such as spoilage, fungus, and pests. This information can be used for the specific application of treatments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven James Wilkins
  • Patent number: 10729124
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for effecting an optical barrier and includes a light source emitting a beam. The apparatus also includes a moveable mirror and an actuator to move the mirror to reflect the beam into a plurality of directions or locations. In some embodiments, the apparatus also includes a processor and a memory chip including a sequence of instructions. The memory chip and the sequence of instructions causes the processor to receive data from a sensor system that indicates a location of a pest and operate the actuator to move the mirror to direct the beam to sweep through a range of directions that include the location of the pest. A light fixture is also provided, that includes the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Szabolcs Marka, Imre Bartos, Zsuzsanna Marka
  • Patent number: 10425488
    Abstract: A system may include sensor equipment, a local yard maintenance manager and a remote yard maintenance manager. The sensor equipment includes one or more sensors disposed on a parcel of land. The local yard maintenance manager may be disposed proximate to the parcel and configured to interface with the sensor equipment to monitor growing conditions on the parcel. The remote yard maintenance manager may be disposed remotely with respect to the parcel and configured to interface with the sensor equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventors: Martin Larsén, Mikael Willgert, Anders Mattsson, Stefan Grufman, Åke Cederborn, Mikael Alexiusson, Lars Dernebo
  • Patent number: 9999213
    Abstract: An autonomous drone integrated with wide bandwidth, high energy acoustic wave generators sent to evict and eradicate agricultural pests within a patrolling area. The drone hovering close to a plant bombards its leaves and fruits with high energy acoustic waves via frequency and tone determined by an onboard synthesizer through acoustic power amplified to drive the sideways and bottom mounted acoustic wave generators. Agricultural pests such as caterpillar, beetle and the like are bombarded with powerful acoustic waves causing their bodies to vigorously vibrate and resonate with synthesizer frequency to dislodge or kill the pests. Other insects such as moths are forced airborne by a propeller's strong downdraft and are electrocuted by integrated high voltage screens. Inside a hotel room, the drone hovers close to a surface of a bedding mattress, bombarding the surfaces with powerful acoustic waves tuned to frequencies that cause bed bugs to resonate and die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Inventor: Simon Siu-Chi Yu
  • Patent number: 9890536
    Abstract: A universal fit flexible tree trunk guard fabricated from a medium to high density silicone rubber material for protecting the trunk of a tree or an ornamental shrub from strikes from lawn care equipment or from interactions with wildlife. A plurality of hole members are provided along the upper and lower edges of the trunk guard. This rectangular sheet can then be wrapped around the trunk, the diameter of the thus-formed cylinder adjusted to fit the tree or ornamental shrub to be protected. Mechanical fastening means can then be used, at registering hole members, to secure the trunk guard in a cylindrical form. Additionally, the interior surface, i.e. the surface that is facing the trunk of the tree or ornamental shrub, can be provided with a plurality of spaced bosses that maintain an air space between the surface of the tree trunk and the trunk guard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas W. Lolio, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9848595
    Abstract: An insect net with emergency deployment structured to be retrofit onto the roof of the cab of the typical construction or agricultural equipment vehicle. The system includes a cylindrical insect net that may be compressed into a closed deployment box positioned on the underside of the vehicle cab roof. A deployment cord is positioned adjacent the operator where it may be readily accessed and pulled to open the doors of the deployment box to allow the cylindrical net to drop (under the influence of a ring of small weights) to surround the operator within the cab. The system is structured to be re-used by replacing the cylindrical net back into the deployment box and refitting the deployment cord with pull pin to hold the deployable components within the box for subsequent use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: Ernesto Vasquez Del Toro
  • Patent number: 9829669
    Abstract: A magnetic privacy screen comprises a privacy screen which has a front and back side. The privacy screen functions to reduce the visible angle of an electronic display. One or more magnetic components are in communication with the privacy screen. A plurality of magnets disposed within the electronic display releasably engage with the magnetic component of the privacy screen, retaining the privacy screen on the electronic display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Inventor: Stefan Leipold
  • Patent number: 9693546
    Abstract: A termite extermination method of the present invention includes putting a termite extermination device 1 at a termite habitat. The termite extermination device 1 includes an exterminating agent housing 3 that is at least partially formed of a moisture-proof film 12 and houses an exterminating agent 13 in an interior of the exterminating agent housing 3. The moisture-proof film 12 includes a laminate having a paper layer and a metal layer laminated one upon another. At least the paper layer is subjected to a rugging process. The laminate is disposed in the exterminating agent housing 3 so that the paper layer serves as an outermost surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION OKAYAMA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kenji Matsuura, Chihiro Himuro, Tomoyuki Yokoi, Yuya Suzuki, Kosaku Nozaki, Masanaga Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9572308
    Abstract: A field spraying device for spraying a liquid on a crop, includes a liquid supply tank, at least one spray boom extending from the device, the spray boom having a forward side facing the directional movement of the field spraying device in operation and an opposing rearward side, wherein the boom includes a liquid supply line connected to a plurality of nozzles along the length of the boom for spraying a field with the liquid. Further, there are a plurality of wind drift spoiler devices wherein each wind drift spoiler device is position adjacent each of the nozzles on the forward side of the spray boom. The wind drift spoiler devices include a downwardly depending deflector surface adjacent each of the nozzles. The wind drift spoiler device may also be equipped with a downwardly depending brush element, wherein the brush element is positioned to depend downwardly from the deflector surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: K-B Agri Tech, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Dale Beggs, Kurt William Kamin
  • Patent number: 9414581
    Abstract: A pest deterrent apparatus that uses a rotating mirror to paint a beam of sunlight onto a predetermined area of interest. The beam of sunlight being reflected onto the area of interest deters birds and other pests from landing or gathering in the area of interest. A global navigation satellite system (GNSS) device and a compass are used to determine the position of the sun with respect to the mirror. A pattern generator computes the movement of the mirror required to paint the predetermined area of interest with the beam of sunlight. The movement of the mirror is adjusted as the sun moves across the sky such that the predetermined area of interest continues to be covered with the beam of sunlight as the sun moves across the sky.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Inventor: Joshua Ramsey Riesland
  • Patent number: 9246749
    Abstract: A lost communications link recovery method for a remotely-operated robot comprising the following steps: monitoring command and control (C2) signals transmitted over a wireless network from an operator control unit (OCU) to the robot; storing the C2 signals in a sliding window buffer; monitoring the wireless network for communication link breaks between the OCU and the robot; and creating, and issuing to the robot, reverse C2 commands based on the stored C2 signals upon detecting a communication link break.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Hoa Gia Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9185897
    Abstract: Methods to create and maintain pre-designed geometrically shaped volumes of an effective dynamic mixture of volatile compounds encompassing an object of protection for very long times, up to one or more years, for control of pests and pest-borne diseases in open outdoor environments of importance to humans, animals and plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: AUBURN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Maurice M. Boyd, Ronald D. Neuman, Andrew B. Shelton, Wiley M. Cauthen, Ralph H. Zee
  • Publication number: 20150128483
    Abstract: Described herein is a heating system where air is drawn into a system where hot gas is injected into it. The air is then discharged at a regulated temperature into an environment through ductwork to heat environments to elevated temperatures and employing functional modules to further condition the air to humidify, dehumidify, decontaminate with airborne free-radicals, and filtrate in both stationary and portable applications. The system is useful to eradicate pests, disease germs, bacteria, viruses, and mold. The system is also useful in water remediation and comfort heating. The system can be configured to create a parallel path to both heat and dehumidify the airflow blended and discharged at the operator-chosen set-point temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Supplier Support International, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Krupp, Kevin D. Krupp
  • Publication number: 20150128482
    Abstract: Enclosures for mass delivery of a living biological pest control agent according to the embodiments disclosed herein include a body section having a generally cylindrical wall with opposed ends defining an interior surface, parasitized eggs of a living biological pest control agent (e.g., an endoparasitic insect) adhered to the interior surface of the wall, and at least one egress opening to allow the pest control agent to exit the body section to an exterior environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: EMBRAER S.A.
    Inventors: José Roberto MORETO, Gabriel Barroso DE ARAUJO, Caio Borges ARIAS
  • Patent number: 9027276
    Abstract: The invention relates to an insect trap which has been designed to facilitate simple and efficient servicing, maintenance and cleaning. The trap includes a back housing; a frame swing mounted to said housing; and a cover comprising openings allowing insects to enter the trap and the frame supports at least one light such that said frame and lights can be moved from a first position where they overlie the back housing, to a second position where they lie clear of the back housing such that an insect catching means which may be fitted over the back housing is readily accessible for replacement during servicing. Additionally, the trap is adapted for ease of servicing and jet cleaning by the provision of shields each of which sealably protect, from water ingress, the plurality of lights at the positions where they connect to electrical fittings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Brandenburg Limited
    Inventors: John Cadman Willcox, Mathew Varghese Kaye
  • Publication number: 20150121746
    Abstract: A description is given of an exterminator (1) for insects, in particular mosquitoes, comprising: a) a container (2) which is open on the upper side and which is to be filled with a water-containing fluid, having an inner wall with a smooth surface descending steeply towards the water, b) a cover (4) provided at a distance above the open upper side of the container, and c) a float (7) which is provided in the container, under the cover, and which can move up and down with the fluid level, which float has a float body (9) which extends above the surface of the fluid and which comprises or is provided with a structure (10) which remains dry in the form of a gauze, net, cloth, screen, grid or fabric, on to which an electrostatic coating layer in the form of a platinum complex-containing silicone composition is provided, to which one or more powders are adhered which comprise:—a juvenile hormone, such as pyriproxyphene and/or—a fungus, such as Beauveria bassiana, and/or Metarhizium anisopliae, and/or—an intensifyi
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: IN2CARE HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Anne Jurjen Osinga, Marit Farenhorst, Remco Alexander Suer, Bart Geert Jan Knols
  • Patent number: 9021738
    Abstract: D- and l-tetrahydrocarvone and d- and l dihydrocarvone are effective for the control of termites, fire ants and carpenter ants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Bedoukian Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Bedoukian, Ashok Raina
  • Publication number: 20150113856
    Abstract: A grain pest control apparatus includes an input unit adapted to accept input of grain; a heating unit adapted to heat the grain supplied from the input unit; and a removal unit adapted to remove heat from the grain heated by the heating unit, wherein the removal unit includes a cylindrical body provided with an air passage hole in a wall surface and adapted to receive the heated grain and a heat collecting chamber installed by surrounding the cylindrical body and connected to an exhaust channel, and removes heat from the heated grain by causing air supplied into the cylindrical body to pass through the air passage hole and escape via the heat collecting chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Hideo Kawashima, Hidenori Mizuno, Kazunobu Kajihara, Yoichiro Ogura, Yasunori Koike
  • Patent number: 9015988
    Abstract: A visual attractant for attracting a target insect include a substrate having a pixelated pattern portion defined by a plurality of blocks having a characteristic dimension that is within an order of magnitude of the size of the target insect. The plurality of blocks are colored to be highly reflective in a wavelength range selected to attract the target insect. A background portion is lighter in color than the pixelated pattern, to contrast sharply therewith. The blocks are clustered on the substrate such that most of the plurality of blocks define one or more irregular elongate streaks on the substrate. The pixelated pattern may be applied to a strip or to a pillar device, which may be adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Sterling International Inc.
    Inventors: Qing-He Zhang, Rodney G. Schneidmiller, Marc Chapin, Steven A. Hastings
  • Patent number: 9015989
    Abstract: An insect toxic bait dispenser has a top with multiple downwardly opening compartments in which toxic bait fluids may be retained by an underlying foil barrier. The top is supported on a base with posts positioned beneath the barrier. Base prongs extend into a top shaft with ledges at different heights, preventing part separation when the barrier is intact above the posts, and, when the top is closed on the base, piercing the foil seal and dispensing liquids into fluid retaining members held in base pockets. To use, a peripheral tear strip is removed from the base, permitting the top to descend on the base causing the posts to puncture the seal, compressing the fluid retaining members against the barrier to receive and dispense toxic bait liquid while retarding the rate of liquid evaporation. The top may be hinged to the base, or urged downwardly by a threaded cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Bell Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Zeamer, James R. Walsh
  • Patent number: 9010017
    Abstract: A collector of adult insects, their eggs and larvae has a vacuum-producing motor disposed within a housing. An inlet nozzle is used to draw the targeted organisms into the housing along a flow path featuring grids heated to a degree sufficient to kill the organisms. Mechanical expedients such as fan blades can be disposed in the flow path to apply mechanical killing forces and to blow debris off of adjacent grids. The organisms are directed to a collector which can be heated and which can contain insecticidal substances to provide additional killing expedients for the collected organisms. The flow rate and temperature ranges are adjustable to create sufficient heat and time of contact to kill selected organisms. The collector is especially useful for treating bedbug infestations without the need for toxic chemicals, long-term treatments which make the space being treated uninhabitable and other more extreme treatment regimens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventor: Michael Southard
  • Publication number: 20150101239
    Abstract: An apparatus for using microwave energy for treating an infected site infested with insects or other small pests is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a source of microwave energy connected to a power source and a power controller, a transmission element, and an antenna. The apparatus can also comprise an isolator to protect the source of microwave energy. Methods to use such an apparatus for treatment of an infected site are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Nathaniel L. Cohen
  • Patent number: 8994529
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein comprise an apparatus and method for controlling and monitoring a mosquito misting system. The apparatus includes a chemical reservoir, a delivery system, a spray system, one or more sensors, a communication network and a misting management unit. The sensors may detect normal and abnormal operations of the misting system and send this data to the misting management unit. The misting management unit may then analyze the data and determine the problem. If the problem can be fixed without personnel, the misting management unit may simply adjust the system and fix the problem. If the problem requires personnel, the system may automatically schedule the service call based on a number of criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. White
  • Publication number: 20150082688
    Abstract: A system for killing bed bugs located on the exterior crevices of an item includes a housing divided into an upper housing area and a lower housing area, front and rear flap covering apertures located in the front and rear, respectively, of the upper housing area, a horizontally disposed motorized conveyor that is located within the upper housing area, at least one heating element located in the upper housing area, two or more UV lamps located in the upper housing area, and a fan located in the upper housing area. The heating elements, one of the UV lamps, and the fan are located below the conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Jack D. Schmitz
  • Publication number: 20150082689
    Abstract: The inventive subject matter relates to a device and method of its use in producing small droplets of insecticide. The device produces small droplets through ultrasonic frequency sonication. The device is also capable of inducing and electrical charge on the small droplets for better application to flying insects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Jacques C. Bertrand, Craig A. Stoops
  • Patent number: 8984800
    Abstract: An insect decoy is provided that includes a vapor-isolated vessel, a chemical compound disposed within the vapor-isolated vessel, and an excitation energy source. The chemical compound may have one or more absorption bands at a set of absorption wavelengths and have one or more emission bands at a set of emission wavelengths. The excitation energy source may be configured to produce electromagnetic radiation at the absorption wavelengths so as to fluoresce the chemical compound and release photons at the emission wavelengths. The vapor-isolated vessel may be configured with at least one infrared transmissive window that is substantially transparent to the released photons at the emission wavelengths of the chemical compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Technology SG, L.P.
    Inventors: Eric L. Canfield, Thomas M. Dykstra, Scott J. Soma, Robert E. Rasmussen, Robert P. Alston
  • Patent number: 8973299
    Abstract: A device for trapping flying insects and a system of such devices are disclosed. The device includes a supporting frame with an associated combustible fuel supply connected to a combustion device with a fan which is operated to generate an exhaust gas having carbon dioxide to attract flying insects. The insects are drawn into a trap chamber on the frame by suction where they are collected and/or killed. The device may further include various sensors to regulate fuel flow and fan speed in accordance with insect activity as influenced by environmental and other factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Woodstream Corporation
    Inventor: Emma Amelia Durand
  • Patent number: 8973300
    Abstract: An insect trap for use in trapping and exterminating crawling insects including bed bugs. The trap includes a pit fall trap assembly with sidewalls defining a pit or well and a heat source positioned within the pit. The trap includes a controller assembly with a controller selectively operating the heat source, which includes a base plate provided at a bottom of the pit. In this way, the base plate provides the floor or lower surfaces of the pit upon which insects fall and also to which the insects are attracted by the thermal lure of the heat source. The inner surfaces preferably include a layer of anti-traction material (such as UHMW tape or the like) such that the insects cannot climb back out of the pit. The controller operates to alternate the heat source between a lure temperature mimicking a blood host and a higher temperature to exterminate trapped insects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: John Douglas Smith, Mark Naylor, Jeffrey Norman Vahle, Tanya Peak Smith, L. Keith Forbis
  • Publication number: 20150052800
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for eliminating parasites and parasitic insects. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for eliminating parasitic insects, such as bed bugs through use of uniform directional heating. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, radiant heat is used over a designated period of time (e.g., cleaning cycle) in order to eliminate parasites in a contaminated area enveloped by a blanket like structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Robert N. Timbrook, JR., Kevin Haim, Geoff Haim
  • Patent number: 8943744
    Abstract: An apparatus for using microwave energy for treating an infected site infested with insects or other small pests is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a source of microwave energy connected to a power source and a power controller, a transmission element, and an antenna. The apparatus can also comprise an isolator to protect the source of microwave energy. Methods to use such an apparatus for treatment of an infected site is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Inventor: Nathaniel L. Cohen
  • Patent number: 8943743
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device coated with a friable composition comprising an insect toxicant wherein the geometry of the device, the presence of openings in the device, the presence of a highly volatile attractant independently located inside the device, and the composition comprising an insect toxicant function together to release an effective concentration of the highly volatile attractant vapor into the environment at a rate that maintains attractancy and at the same time kills the insect as soon as the insect comes into contact with the vapors of the insecticide or the composition impregnated on the surface of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Plato Industries Ltd
    Inventors: Thomas Alfred Plato, Timothy Bruce Johnson, James Scott Plato, Stacy Elizabeth Plato
  • Publication number: 20150027034
    Abstract: A visual cue system associated with a plurality of consumer product packages includes a first visual cue with at least a first symbol and first text associated therewith and is further associated with a first consumer product. A second visual cue has at least a second symbol and second text associated therewith and is further associated with a second consumer product. A regimen key is associated with at least one of the first or second consumer products. Further, the first and second consumer product packages are different.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Gary D. Weintraub, Lynn Templeton