Devices and systems for non-invasive eradication of rodents

Abstract

An eradication device 100 for killing rodents, such as rats is disclosed. The eradication device, in the orientation intended during use, comprises: a housing 2, a firing mechanism 200, sensor means 6, and a power source 8. The power source 8 is configured for powering said sensor means 6 and said firing mechanism 200. The housing 2 comprises said firing mechanism 200, and the firing mechanism 200 comprises one or more killing means 10; wherein said firing mechanism is configured, upon receiving a trigger signal TS, to eject one or more of said killing means 10 from a non-ejected, stand-by configuration, thereby making said killing means 10 arrive at an ejected configuration. The killing means 10 of said firing mechanism 200 comprises a free first end 12 comprising an impact element 14 for killing said rodent upon impact, caused by ejection of said killing means 10. The sensor means 6 is arranged relative to said killing means 10 in such a way that said sensor means 6 is being configured to be able to sense a presence of a rodent at a location which is within reach of an impact element 14 of one or more of said killing means, when said killing means is being in its ejected configuration. Moreover, the eradication device is being configured, upon sensing a presence of a rodent by said sensor means, to make said firing mechanism 200 receive said trigger signal TS and thereby eject one or more of said killing means 10. In the eradication device, the impact element 14 of the killing means is being a blunt impact element for ensuring a non-invasive killing of said rodent. Furthermore, the dimension and geometry of said impact element 14 on the one hand and the impact power of said firing mechanism 200 on the other hand are adapted to each other in such a way, that no piercing of the skin of said rodent is possible upon killing said rodent by impacting with said impact element upon ejecting said killing means. (Fig. 2)

Description

[0001] Devices and systems for non-invasive eradication of rodents

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of eradication of pests in the form of rodents, such as rats. The present invention is in particularly intended for use in the interior of underground sewer pipes.

[0004] Accordingly, the present invention relates in a first aspect to an eradication device for eradicating rodents, such as rats.

[0005] In a second aspect the present invention relates to an eradication system comprising a number of eradication devices according to the first aspect of the invention in combination with a central data logger.

[0006] In a third aspect the present invention provides a use of an eradication device according to the first aspect of the invention or of an eradication system according to the second aspect of the invention for eradicating rodents.

[0007] In a fourth aspect the present invention provides a method for eradicating rodents by use of one or more eradication devices according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0008] In a fifth aspect the present invention relates to a sewer pipe comprising an eradication device according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0009] In a sixth aspect the present invention relates to a sewer system comprising one or more sewer pipes as defined according to the fifth aspect of the present invention.

[0010] Background of the invention

[0011] For centuries rats have been considered by humans to represent pest which contribute no beneficial purpose. On the contrary, rats are known to exhibit a rather destructive behavior in that they are capable of destroying buildings and other types of structures by constructing tunnels and by gnawing through elements of structures and thereby undermine foundations of such structures. In addition, rats are known to be carrier of a vast selection of pathogens, which may be harmful to human beings.

[0012] For this reason, there is a strong interest in eradicating rats in area where people are present.

[0013] To this end, various types of rat traps have been developed which are designed to capture and kill a single rat. After each trapping and killing of a single rat, the rat must manually be removed from the trap and the rat trap will have to be manually reloaded in order to be prepared for continuing rat killing. It is well known that rats have a reproduction rate of a magnitude which means that two rats can proliferate into more than 1,000 rats in the time span of a single year. Accordingly, more automated rat killing devises would be needed in order to efficiently suppress the proliferation of rats.

[0014] One such automated rat killing device is disclosed in WO 2008 / 046424 Al. This document discloses an automatically operated rat trap. The rat trap is intended for being used in the interior of a sewer pipe and it comprises a firing mechanism which comprises an anchoring plate comprising a number of spikes and which is automatically fired upon detection, by a sensor, the presence of a rat within the reach of the spikes. Upon firing, the spikes penetrate through holes in the plate and pierce the rat which has been detected by the sensor. The rat trap holds the spikes in this piercing configuration for a predetermined period of time after which the spikes are being withdrawn through the holes in the anchoring plate. This withdrawal thus represents preparing the firing mechanism for yet another firing cycle of the spikes. Upon withdrawal of the spikes the anchoring plate serves as a stop means preventing the rat to be withdrawn into a housing of the rat trap, and thereby makes the rat be released from the rat trap and allowed to be flushed away with sewer liquid flowing in the sewer system into which the rat trap is arranged. The rat trap of WO 2008 / 046424 Al also comprises an energy supply for powering the firing mechanism and the sensor.

[0015] For obvious reason the rat trap disclosed in WO 2008 / 046424 Al represents a huge improvement in relation to the manually operated rat traps, because the rat trap of WO 2008 / 046424 Al provides for automatically loading of the trap and automatically killing rats and removing of killed rats. Accordingly, the rat trap of WO 2008 / 046424 Al, when used in great numbers in a sewer system, will enable an efficient suppression of growth of rat populations.

[0016] However, the inventors of the present invention have found that the combination of spikes for killing rats and an anchoring plate through which the spikes are fired and withdrawn, as being present in the rat trap of WO 2008 / 046424 Al, has the effect that the body of the dead rat will become flattened and hence increase in size in a plane defined by two perpendicular directions. Such increase in size of the flattened rat has been found to lead to clogging problems in the sewer system downstream to the rat trap.

[0017] The same problem of risk of clogging of a sewer system may arise in respect of a rat trap of the type which ejects a killing element with the view to kill a rat by impact and thereby squashing the body of that rodent and thereby increasing the outer circumference of the killed rat.

[0018] Accordingly, a need persists for improved technology which solves the above-identified problem.

[0019] It is an objective of the present invention to provide technologies fulfilling this need. Brief description of the invention

[0020] This objective is fulfilled according to the present invention in its various aspects.

[0021] Accordingly, the present invention relates in a first aspect to an eradication device for killing rodents, such as rats, in a sewer system, wherein said eradication device, in the orientation intended during use, comprises:

[0022] -a housing;

[0023] -a firing mechanism;

[0024] -sensor means;

[0025] -a power source; wherein said power source is configured for powering said sensor means and said firing mechanism; wherein said housing comprises said firing mechanism; wherein said firing mechanism comprises one or more killing means; wherein said firing mechanism is configured, upon receiving a trigger signal, to eject one or more of said killing means from a non-ejected, stand-by configuration, thereby making said killing means arrive at an ejected configuration; wherein said killing means of said firing mechanism comprises a free first end comprising an impact element for killing said rodent upon impact, caused by ejection of said killing means; wherein said sensor means is being arranged relative to said killing means in such a way that said sensor means is configured to be able to sense a presence of a rodent at a location which is within reach of an impact element of one or more of said killing means, when said killing means is being in its ejected configuration; wherein said eradication device is being configured, upon sensing a presence of a rodent by said sensor means, to make said firing mechanism receive said trigger signal and thereby eject one or more of said killing means; wherein said eradication device comprises one or more mounting elements which is / are configured to enter into engagement with a sewer pipe, thereby enabling mounting of said eradication device in the interior of an existing sewer pipe of said sewer system;wherein said impact element is being a blunt impact element for ensuring a non-invasive killing of said rodent; and wherein the dimension and geometry of said impact element on the one hand and the impact power of said firing mechanism on the other hand are adapted to each other in such a way, that no piercing of the skin of said rodent is possible upon killing said rodent by impacting with said impact element upon ejecting said killing means. In a second aspect the present invention relates to an eradication system comprising one or more eradication devices according to the first aspect of the invention in combination with a central data logger; wherein in respect of one or more of said one or more eradication devices, said eradication devices comprises an electronic controller and a wireless communication unit; wherein said electronic controller is being configured to communicate to said wireless communication unit, activity information relating to activities or conditions of said eradication device 100.

[0026] In a third aspect the present invention provides a use of a device according to the first aspect of the invention or of an eradication system according to the second aspect of the present invention for eradicating rodents, such as rats.

[0027] In a fourth aspect the present invention provides method for eradicating rodents, such as rats, wherein said method comprises the following steps: i) providing one or more eradication devices according to the first aspect of the present invention; ii) arranging said one or more eradication devices in the interior of a sewer pipe of a sewer system; iii) enabling a rodent, such as a rat to approach one or more of said eradication devices; iv) in respect of such an eradication device, enabling said sensor means of said eradication device to sense a presence of said rodent; v) upon sensing the presence of said rodent, enabling said sensor means to make said firing mechanism receive said trigger signal and thereby make said firing mechanism eject one or more of said killing means, and thereby killing said rodent by non-invasive mechanical impact with said impact element.

[0028] In a fifth aspect the present invention relates to a sewer pipe comprising an eradication device according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein said mounting element(s) of said eradication device is / are in engagement with an inner surface of said sewer pipe so as to hold said eradication device in place in the interior of said sewer pipe; wherein said eradication device is being positioned in the interior of said sewer pipe in a way that ensures that when said killing means of said firing mechanism are in their ejected configuration, a free space between a lower portion of the impact element of said killing means and a lower, inner surface of said sewer pipe is having an extension is present, thereby avoiding squashing of the rodent upon killing thereof.

[0029] In a sixth aspect the present invention relates to a sewer system comprising one or more sewer pipes as defined according to the fifth aspect of the invention. The present invention in its various aspects provide for killing rodents, such as rats, in a sewer system in a way that will not considerably increase the outer circumference of the rodent so that the risk clogging of the sewer system at a downstream position, relative to the killing site, is reduced.

[0030] Brief description of the figures

[0031] Fig. 1 is a drawing illustrating in a perspective view an eradication device according to the first aspect of the invention having its killing means in a non-ejected, standby configuration.

[0032] Fig. 2 is a drawing illustrating in a perspective view an eradication device of Fig. 1 having its killing means in its ejected configuration.

[0033] Fig. 3a is a side view of the eradication device of Fig. 1.

[0034] Fig. 3b is a side view of the eradication device of Fig. 2.

[0035] Fig 4a. is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of the killing means of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0036] Fig. 4b is an end view of the killing means illustrated in Fig. 4a.

[0037] Fig. 4c is a plan view of the killing means illustrated in Fig. 4a.

[0038] Fig. 4d is a side view of the killing means illustrated in Fig. 4a.

[0039] Fig. 5a is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the killing means of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0040] Fig. 5b is an end view of the killing means illustrated in Fig. 5a.

[0041] Fig. 5c is a plan view of the killing means illustrated in Fig. 5a.

[0042] Fig. 5d is a side view of the killing means illustrated in Fig. 5a.

[0043] Fig. 6 is a partly see-through view of the eradication device of Fig. 1 having its killing means in a non-ejected, standby configuration.

[0044] Fig. 7a is a perspective view of a firing mechanism of an eradication device according to the present invention, wherein the killings means are in its ejected configuration.

[0045] Fig. 7b is a perspective view of the firing mechanism of Fig. 6a, wherein the firing mechanism is in the process of being reloaded.

[0046] Fig. 7c is a perspective view of the firing mechanism of Fig. 7b, wherein the firing mechanism has been fully reloaded. Fig. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating the working mode of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0047] Fig. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating the concept of an eradication system according to the second aspect of the present invention.

[0048] Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating the concept of magnitude of curvature as employed in the present patent application.

[0049] Detailed description of the invention

[0050] The first aspect of the present invention

[0051] The present invention relates in a first aspect to an eradication device 100 for killing rodents, such as rats, in a sewer system, wherein said eradication device, in the orientation intended during use, comprises:

[0052] -a housing 2;

[0053] -a firing mechanism 200;

[0054] -sensor means 6;

[0055] -a power source 8; wherein said power source 8 is configured for powering said sensor means 6 and said firing mechanism 200; wherein said housing 2 comprises said firing mechanism 200; wherein said firing mechanism 200 comprises one or more killing means 10; wherein said firing mechanism is configured, upon receiving a trigger signal TS, to eject one or more of said killing means 10 from a non-ejected, stand-by configuration, thereby making said killing means 10 arrive at an ejected configuration; wherein said killing means 10 of said firing mechanism 200 comprises a free first end 12 comprising an impact element 14 for killing said rodent upon impact, caused by ejection of said killing means 10; wherein said sensor means 6 is arranged relative to said killing means 10 in such a way that said sensor means 6 is being configured to be able to sense a presence of a rodent at a location which is within reach of an impact element 14 of one or more of said killing means, when said killing means is being in its ejected configuration; wherein said eradication device is being configured, upon sensing a presence of a rodent by said sensor means, to make said firing mechanism 200 receive said trigger signal TS and thereby eject one or more of said killing means 10; wherein said eradication device comprises one or more mounting elements 300 which is / are configured to enter into engagement with a sewer pipe, thereby enabling mounting of said eradication device in the interior of an existing sewer pipe of said sewer system;wherein said impact element 14 is being a blunt impact element for ensuring a non-invasive killing of said rodent; and wherein the dimension and geometry of said impact element 14 on the one hand and the impact power of said firing mechanism 200 on the other hand are adapted to each other in such a way, that no piercing of the skin of said rodent is possible upon killing said rodent by impacting with said impact element upon ejecting said killing means.

[0056] By providing the killing means with a blunt impact element for impacting the rodent upon killing thereof it is ensured that no piercing of the skin of the rodent takes place.

[0057] Thereby it is also ensured that no killing means have to be retracted from the internal parts of the body of the rodent after killing, and the lack of such retraction from the internal parts of the body avoids the prior art problem of squeezing the body of the rodent to an extent where the size of the animal increases. This in turn implies avoiding clogging of sewer pipes in a sewer system due to an ensued enlargement of the size of rodents which have been killed.

[0058] In the present description and in the appended claims the term “non-invasive killing of a rodent” may be construed to mean that no piercing or penetration of the skin of the rodent takes place upon killing.

[0059] In the present description and in the appended claims, the lack of piercing by the killing means of the eradication device of the present invention may being tested in respect of a standard model rat having a weight of 400 - 600 g which has been newly killed by nonmechanical means, such as by gas, and which rests flat down on feet and stomach on a nonflexible surface in such a way that the distance between the impact element 14 of the killing means 10 and a dorsal portion of said rat, when said firing mechanism 200 is being in its stand-by configuration, is selected from the ranges 200 - 290 mm, such as 210 - 280 mm, for example 220 - 270 mm, e.g. 230 - 260 mm or 240 - 250.

[0060] In such a situation, when firing the firing mechanism of the eradication device onto the dead rat and the killing means do not pierce the skin of the rat, then one may be sure that the killing means operate in a non-invasive mode.

[0061] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the firing mechanism 200 is being configured, subsequent to having ejected one or more of said killing means 10, to reload said killing means 10 by making said killing means return to its non-ejected, stand-by configuration.

[0062] Hereby the eradication device will reload and be ready for another killing after having ejected its killing means.

[0063] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the firing mechanism 200 comprises an ejector mechanism 202 and a reloading mechanism 204, wherein said ejector mechanism 202 is being configured to eject said one or more of said killing means 10 and thereby bring said killing means from its non-ejected, stand-by configuration to its ejected configuration; and wherein said reloading mechanism 204 is being configured to reload said killing means by bringing said killing means 10 from its ejected configuration to its to non-ejected, stand-by configuration.

[0064] Hereby the eradication device will reload and be ready for another killing after having ejected its killing means.

[0065] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the ejector mechanism 202 and the reloading mechanism 204 are either being separate entities or they are being integrated into a single unit.

[0066] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the firing mechanism 200 comprises a stationary part 206 which is being attached to said housing 2, and a movable support element 208 which is being configured to be ejected in a direction away from said stationary part 206; thereby enabling said movable support element 208 to be displaced relative to said stationary part 206 between said non-ejected, stand-by configuration and said ejected configuration, and vice versa; wherein said movable support element 208 of said firing mechanism 200 is being connected to said one or more killing means 10 at a second end 16 thereof.

[0067] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the stationary part 206 of said firing mechanism 200 comprises one more guide members 210 in the form of rod(s), wherein said movable support element 208 is being configured to slide along a longitudinal extension of said guide member(s) 210.

[0068] Such guide members enable guiding of the displacement of the killing means and hence improves operational reliability of the eradication device.

[0069] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the ejector mechanism 202 is being spring-loaded by one or more springs 212 in such a way that said one or more springs participate in ejecting said killing means 10 from its non-ejected, stand-by configuration to its ejected configuration.

[0070] Springs are able to store potential energy and are additionally able to release the stored energy swiftly.

[0071] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the firing mechanism 200 comprises:

[0072] -a spindle arrangement 214 comprising a spindle 216;

[0073] -a motor 218 for driving said spindle 216;

[0074] -a lifting element 220 for lifting said movable support element 208;

[0075] -a tube 222 being connected to said movable support element 208; -an electrically actuated lock 224; wherein said tube 222 is surrounding said spindle 216; wherein said lifting element 220 comprises a threaded hole 226 engaging with said spindle 216; wherein said lifting element 220 is being arranged below said movable support element 208; wherein said tube 222 comprises an engagement element 228, such as a collar, such as at an upper part thereof; wherein said electrically actuated lock 224 is configured to change configuration between a locking configuration in which said lock is engaging with said engagement element 228 of said tube 222 and an unlocking configuration in which said electrically actuated lock 224 is disengaging from said engagement element 228 of said tube 222, and vice versa, upon being supplied with an electrical signal thereto.

[0076] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the stationary part 206 of said firing mechanism 200 comprises or is being connected to a stationary support element 230, wherein said spring(s) 212 is / are being arranged between said movable support element 208 and said stationary support element 230, such as being arranged so as to surround one or more of said guide member(s) 210.

[0077] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the lifting element 220 is being configured for not being brought into rotation upon rotation of said spindle 216, such as by being held in place by said guide member(s) 210.

[0078] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the reloading mechanism 204 is configured, when said eradication device is being in its ejected configuration, to lift said movable support element 208, and thereby also lift said killing means 10, upon turning said spindle in one rotational direction via said motor 218, and thereby also to compress said one or more springs 212.

[0079] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the electrically actuated lock 224 is being configured, once said movable support element 208, and thereby also said tube 222 have been lifted a predetermined distance, to be able to lock the position of said movable support element 208 by entering into engagement with said engagement element 228 of said tube 222.

[0080] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the movable lifting element 220 is being configured to be lowered by turning said spindle in an opposite rotational direction via said motor 218, once the position of said movable support element 208 has been by locked by said electrically actuated lock 224, thereby rendering reloading of said firing mechanism 200 complete. The above description of the working mode of the firing mechanism 200 comprising the ejector mechanism 202 and the reloading mechanism 204 constitutes a simple and reliable way of operating the eradiation device 100.

[0081] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the eradication device comprises an electronic controller 20, wherein said electronic controller is being connected to said sensor means 6 and to said firing mechanism 200, wherein said sensor means 6 is being configured to transmit a sensing signal SS to said electronic controller 20, upon sensing a presence of a rodent by said sensor means; and wherein said electronic controller 20 is being configured, to subsequently transmit to said firing mechanism 200, said trigger signal TS, thereby causing one or more of said one or more killing means 10 to be ejected from its non-ejected, stand-by configuration so as to arrive at its ejected configuration.

[0082] An electronic controller may by means of electrical signal control the operation of the eradiation device.

[0083] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the electronic controller 20 is being powered by said power source 8.

[0084] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the electronic controller 20 is being configured to transmit said trigger signal TS to said ejector mechanism 202 of said firing mechanism 200.

[0085] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the electronic controller 20 is being configured to transmit a reloading instructions RI to said reloading mechanism 204, thereby causing said killing means 10 to be brought from its ejected configuration to its non-ejected, stand-by configuration, subsequent to being ejected.

[0086] These modes of operation ensure a reliable ejection and reloading of the firing mechanism 200 thereof.

[0087] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the eradication device comprises a data memory 22, wherein said data memory is being configured to store thereon, time stamps relating to time of occurrence of activities of said electronic controller 20 and / or said firing mechanism 200.

[0088] Hereby it is possible at later stages to retrieve information relating to activities of the eradiation device.

[0089] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the dimension and geometry of said impact element (14) on the one hand and the travelling distance of said killing means (10) upon being displaced from its non-ejected, standby position to its ejected position, on the other hand, are adapted to each other in such a way, that no squashing of the body of said rodent is possible upon killing said rodent by impacting with said impact element upon ejecting said killing means. In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention the impact element 14 is a thin oblongly extending element.

[0090] Hereby is ensured that the rodent is being killed by impact of said impact element in a way where the spinal column of the rodent will be broken. This in turn ensures no considerable increase in the outer circumference of the rodent upon killing.

[0091] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the thickness of said impact element 14 is no less than any dimension selected from the ranges 3 - 30 mm, such as 4 - 25 mm, for example 5 - 20 mm, such as 8 - 15 mm or 10 - 12 mm; or wherein the thickness of said impact element (14) is selected from the ranges 3 - 30 mm, such as 4 - 25 mm, for example 5 - 20 mm, such as 8 - 15 mm or 10 - 12 mm.

[0092] Such thickness will ensure killing of the rodent by impact of said impact element in a way where the spinal column of the rodent will be broken.

[0093] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention and in respect of each killing means (10), the area of a lower portion of the impact element (14) thereof is having an area of 25 - 10,000 mm2, such as 50 - 9,500 mm2, e.g. 100 - 9,000 mm2, for example 200 - 8,000 mm2, e.g. 400 - 6,000 mm2, for example 600 - 4,000 mm2, such as 800 - 3,000 mm2or 1,000 - 2,000 mm2.In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the curvature, in any direction, as defined by d<b / ds, of a lower impact area 24 of said impact element 14 of said killing means 10 is selected from the ranges of 0 - 45° / cm, such as 5 - 40° / cm, for example 10 - 35° / cm, e.g. 15 - 30° / cm or 20 - 25° / cm.

[0094] These dimensions and / or geometries ensure a non-invasive killing of rodents by using the eradiation device 100.

[0095] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the power source 8 is being in the form of a battery, such as rechargeable battery.

[0096] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the number of killing means 10 of said eradication device 100 is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 or more.

[0097] In general, the higher the number of killing means, the higher the chance that the rodent will be hit by one or more killings means upon ejection thereof, and thereby ensure an instant kill.

[0098] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the sensor means 6 comprises one or more sensors, such as 1 or 2 sensors 6a, 6b.

[0099] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the eradication device is being configured to only eject said killing means 10, once both sensors 6a, 6b have detected a presence of a rodent, such as once both sensors 6a, 6b simultaneously have detected a presence of a rodent. Hereby false positive detection of a non-present rodent may be avoided.

[0100] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the sensor means 6, 6a, 6b is / are an IR sensor, such as being of the type PIR (Passive Infra Red sensor).

[0101] Such sensors are capable of detection of movement of a warm-blooded animal, such as a rodent.

[0102] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, and in respect of one or more of said killing means 10, said killing means comprises a number of vertically extending rods 26, such as one, two or three vertically extending rods 26, each having an upper end 28 and a lower end 30, wherein said rods 26 at their respective lower ends 30 are being connected to each other by a plate element 32, wherein a lower rim 34 of said plate element defines said impact element 14.

[0103] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the plate element 32 is being planar or is having the shape of a segment of a cylinder wall.

[0104] In these designs of the killing means the rodent will be killed by impact of the lower rim 34 of the plate element 32.

[0105] In another embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, and in respect of one or more of said killing means 10, said killing means comprises a number of vertically extending rods 26, each having an upper end 28 and a lower end 30, wherein said rods 26 at a position which does not correspond to their respective lower ends 30 are being connected to each other by a plate element 32, wherein in respect of one or more of said rods, said lower end 30 defines said impact element 14.

[0106] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, and in respect of each said killing means, said number of vertically extending rods 26 is selected from the ranges of 2 - 15 or more rods, such as 3 - 14 rods, for example 4 - 13 rods, e.g. 5 - 12 rods, such as 6 - 11 rods, for example 7 - 10 rods or 8 - 9 rods.

[0107] In these designs of the killing means the rodent will be killed by impact of the lower rim 30 of rod(s) 26.

[0108] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention and in respect of one or more of said killing means 10, the travelling distance of said killing means, upon being displaced from its non-ejected, standby position to its ejected position is selected from the ranges of 5 - 50 cm or more, such as 10 - 45 cm, for example 15 - 40 cm, e.g. 20 - 35 cm or 35 - 30 cm.

[0109] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention the plate element 32 is having an extension, in a vertical direction Z, of 5 - 30 cm, such as 10 - 25 cm or 15 - 20 cm and / or wherein said plate element is having an extension, in a direction perpendicular to said vertical direction Z and extending in a direction between said vertically extending rods of 5 - 30 cm, such as 10 - 25 cm or 15 - 20 cm.

[0110] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention the housing 2 comprises an essentially vertically extending enclosure 36 having an upper end 38 and a lower end 40; wherein said enclosure in its interior 42 is accommodating said a firing mechanism 200, said power source 8 and said electronic controller 20, if being present, wherein said firing mechanism 200 is oriented in such a way that said displacement of said killing means 10 takes place in an essentially vertical direction.

[0111] An enclosure will shield the delicate mechanical and electronic parts from the rather harsh and corrosive environment being present in a sewer pipe system.

[0112] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention the essentially vertically extending enclosure 36 at its lower end 40 is being connected to an essentially horizontally oriented plate 44, wherein said plate comprises one or more openings 46 enabling said one or more killing means 10, including the impact element 14 thereof, to penetrate said plate 44.

[0113] The horizontally oriented plate 44 will aid in further shielding the internal parts of the eradiation device from the rather harsh environment being present in a sewer pipe system.

[0114] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention the sensor means 6, 6a, 6b is / are being arranged at said plate.

[0115] Hereby the sensor means have optimum ability to detect the present of a rodent at a position corresponding to the killing means.

[0116] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention the eradication device comprises a first mounting element 300 and a second mounting element 300 which are each configured to enter into engagement with a sewer pipe.

[0117] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention the eradication device comprises a first mounting element 300 and a second mounting element 300 which are each configured to enter into engagement with a sewer pipe.

[0118] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention the first mounting element 300 comprises a curved portion essentially defining a segment of a cylinder wall; and / or wherein said second mounting element 300 comprises a curved portion essentially defining a segment of a cylinder wall.

[0119] The second aspect of the present invention

[0120] In a second aspect the present invention relates to an eradication system 400 comprising one or more eradication devices 100 according to the first aspect of the present invention in combination with a central data logger 48; wherein in respect of one or more of said one or more eradication devices 100, said eradication device comprises an electronic controller 20 and a wireless communication unit 50, and optionally also an electronic inclinometer, optionally also an electronic sensor for measuring electric conductivity of water in a sewer pipe, optionally also a temperature sensor for measuring temperature of water in a sewer pipe, and optionally also a sensor for measuring the water level in a sewer pipe; wherein said electronic controller 20 is being configured to communicate to said wireless communication unit 50, activity information relating to activities or conditions of said eradication device 100.

[0121] Such eradiation system allows for monitoring the activities performed or conditions encountered by the various eradiation devices of the system.

[0122] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention the activity information relates to one or more of the following:

[0123] -a rodent has been detected by said sensor means 6;

[0124] -said firing mechanism 200, such as said ejector mechanism 202 of said firing mechanism has ejected said killing means 10 and thereby brought said killing means from its non-ejected stand-by configuration to its ejected configuration;

[0125] -said firing mechanism 200, such as said reloading mechanism 204 of said firing mechanism has brought said killing means 10 from its ejected configuration to its non-ejected, stand-by position;

[0126] -identity of the eradication device being active;

[0127] -geographical position of the eradication device being active;

[0128] -activities relating to power consumption, optionally as a function of time;

[0129] -estimated size of rodents being detected by said sensor means;

[0130] -number of times that said firing mechanism 200 has ejected said killing means 10, such as number of times that said ejector mechanism 202 of said firing mechanism has ejected said killing means 10;

[0131] -inclination of said eradication device;

[0132] - electric conductivity of water in a sewer pipe;

[0133] -water level of water in a sewer pipe;

[0134] -temperature of water in a sewer pipe;

[0135] -time stamps relating to time of occurrence of any of the above-mentioned activities or conditions; and wherein said communication unit 50 is configured to transmit to said central data logger 48 by wireless transmission, information representing said activity information. Monitoring such activity information provides a access to in depth information relating various activities and conditions in the interior of sewer pipes of a sewer system.

[0136] In one embodiment of the eradiation system according to the second aspect of the present invention the central data logger 48 is being in the form of a central data server.

[0137] In one embodiment of the eradiation system according to the second aspect of the present invention and in respect of one or more of said eradication devices 100, said wireless communication unit 50 of said eradication device is being in the form of a communication unit, such as a modem, configured to communicate via an existing cellular mobile phone network.

[0138] In one embodiment of the eradiation system according to the second aspect of the present invention the number of eradication devices 100 of said system is selected from the ranges of 1 - 10,000 or more, such as 5 - 5,000; for example 20 - 3,000, such as 50 - 2,000, e.g. 100 - 1,000, such as 200 - 900, for example 300 - 800, such as 400 - 700 or 500 - 600.

[0139] Such numbers of eradication devices 100 in an eradiation system 400 enables very details information relating to a sewer system stretching a large area.

[0140] The third aspect of the present invention

[0141] In a third aspect the present invention provides a use of an eradication device 100 according to the first aspect of the invention or of an eradication system 400 according to the second aspect of the invention for eradicating rodents, such as rats.

[0142] In one embodiment of the use according to the third aspect of the present invention the use takes place in the interior of a sewer system.

[0143] The fourth aspect of the present invention

[0144] In a fourth aspect the present invention provides a method for eradicating rodents, such as rats, wherein said method comprises the following steps: i) providing one or more eradication devices 100 according to the first aspect of the present invention; ii) arranging said one or more eradication devices 100 in the interior of a sewer pipe of a sewer system; iii) enabling a rodent, such as a rat to approach one or more of said eradication devices 100; iv) in respect of such an eradication device 100, enabling said sensor means 6 of said eradication device 100 to sense a presence of said rodent; v) upon sensing the presence of said rodent, enabling said sensor means 6 to make said firing mechanism 200 receive said trigger signal TS and thereby make said firing mechanism eject one or more of said killing means 10, thereby killing said rodent by non-invasive mechanical impact with said impact element.

[0145] In one embodiment of the method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention the method further comprising the step of: vi) automatically making said killing means 10 return to its non-ejected, stand-by configuration.

[0146] Hereby, the method involved reloading the firing mechanism after each ejection of the killing means 10, thereby constantly rendering the eradiation device ready to kill a rodent.

[0147] In one embodiment of the method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention the method further comprising the step of: vii) allowing said killed rodent to be flushed away by water or slurry flowing in the interior said sewer pipe.

[0148] Hereby no concerns relating to removing the killed rodent need be attended to.

[0149] In one embodiment of the method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention the one or more eradication devices 100 form(s) part of an eradication system 400 according to the fourth aspect of the present invention.

[0150] The fifth aspect of the present invention

[0151] In a fifth aspect the present invention relates to a sewer pipe comprising an eradication device 100 according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein said mounting element(s) 300 of said eradication device 100 is / are in engagement with an inner surface of said sewer pipe so as to hold said eradication device 100 in place in the interior of said sewer pipe; wherein said eradication device 100 is being positioned in the interior of said sewer pipe in a way that ensures that when said killing means 10 of said firing mechanism 200 are in their ejected configuration, a free space between a lower portion of the impact element 14 of said killing means 10 and a lower, inner surface of said sewer pipe is present, thereby avoiding squashing of the rodent upon killing thereof.

[0152] In one embodiment of the sewer pipe according to the fifth aspect, the free space between said lower portion of the impact element 14 of said killing means 10 and said lower, inner surface of said sewer pipe is having a magnitude of extension selected from the ranges of 1 - 40 mm, such as 2 - 38 mm, for example 3 - 36 mm, such as 4 - 34 mm, for example 5 - 32 mm, e.g. 6 - 30 mm, such as 7 - 28 mm, for example 8 - 26 mm, e.g. 9 - 24 mm, such as 10 - 22 mm, such as 12- 20 mm, e.g. 14 - 18 mm. By making sure that a free space is present between a lower portion of the impact element 14 of said killing means 10 and a lower, inner surface of said sewer pipe, when the said killing means 10 of said firing mechanism 200 are in their ejected configuration, it is ensured that the rodent being killed by the eradication device will not be squashed by impact of the killing means. This, in turn ensures that the rodent being killed will not become flattened and thereby increase considerably in size in two perpendicular directions. Hereby the risk of clogging of the sewer system at a downstream location is minimized.

[0153] The sixth aspect of the present invention

[0154] In a sixth aspect the present invention relates to a sewer system comprising one or more sewer pipes as defined in respect of the fifth aspect of the present invention.

[0155] In order to better illustrate the present invention, reference is now made to the drawings, in which Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are drawings illustrating in a perspective view an eradication device according to the first aspect of the invention having its killing means in a non-ejected, standby configuration (Fig. 1) and in its ejected configuration (Fig. 2), respectively.

[0156] Fig. 1 shows the eradication device 100 comprising a housing 2 in the form of a vertically extending enclosure 36 with an upper end 38 and a lower end 40.

[0157] At a lower end of the housing 2 is arranged an horizontally extending plate 44 comprising through-going openings 46, thereby allowing killing means 10 to be ejected from the interior 42 of the housing though the plate 44.

[0158] Also seen in Fig. 1 is the sensor means 6 comprising two sensors 6a and 6b. The sensors are arranged at an underside of the horizontally extending plate 44.

[0159] The sensors are PIR sensors (Passive Infra Red). One example of such a sensor is: Murata IRA-S210ST01.

[0160] Mounting elements 300 are coupled to the vertically extending enclosure 36. The mounting element 300 will aid in arranging and fixing the eradication device 100 in the interior of a sewer pipe of a sewer pipe system.

[0161] The eradication device 100 according to the first aspect is intended to be arranged in a vertically extending manhole of a sewer system, which manhole extends between a horizontally extending, underground sewer pipe and the ground surface.

[0162] Fig. 2 shows an eradication device 100 in its ejected configuration. It is seen that the eradication device comprises two killing means 10. Each killing means 10 comprises a blunt impact element 14 which is being defined by the lower rim of the killing means 10.

[0163] As explained in more detail below, the sensors 6a, 6b are configured to sense a presence of a rodent and upon such sensing bringing the eradication device and the killing means from its non-ejected, stand-by configuration, where the killing means 10 are accommodated in the interior 42 of the housing 2, to its ejected configuration, where the killing means 10 are ejected from the interior 42 of the housing 2 with the view to impact such a rodent, the presence of which has been detected by the sensor means 6, 6a, 6b.

[0164] Fig. 3a and 3b illustrate side views of the configurations of the eradication device illustrated in Fig. 1 and 2, respectively.

[0165] Fig 4a is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of the killing means of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0166] Fig. 4a shows that the killing means 10 comprises three rods 26. All three of these are having an upper end 28 and two are having a lower end 30 extending to the lower portion of the killing means 10. The rods 26 at their respective lower ends 30 are being connected to each other by a plate element 32. A lower rim 34 of said plate element defines said impact element 14.

[0167] It is seen that the plate element 32 is having the shape of a segment of a cylinder wall.

[0168] The impact element 14 is being a blunt impact element for ensuring a non-invasive killing of said rodent.

[0169] Fig. 4b is an end view of the killing means illustrated in Fig. 4a as seen from above.

[0170] Fig. 4c is a plan view of the killing means illustrated in Fig. 4a.

[0171] Fig. 4d is a side view of the killing means illustrated in Fig. 4a.

[0172] Fig. 5a is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the non-invasive killing means of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0173] Fig. 5a shows that the killing means 10 comprises three rods 26. All three of these are having an upper end 28 and a lower end 30. The rods 26 at their respective middle part are being connected to each other by plate elements 32. The lower end 30 of each of the rods 26 defines the impact element 14.

[0174] Fig. 5b is an end view of the killing means illustrated in Fig. 5a.

[0175] Fig. 5c is a plan view of the killing means illustrated in Fig. 5a.

[0176] Fig. 5d is a side view of the killing means illustrated in Fig. 5a.

[0177] Fig. 6 is a partly see-through view of the eradication device of Fig. 1 having its killing means in a non-ejected, standby configuration.

[0178] Fig. 6 illustrates the interior 42 of the eradication device 100 of the first aspect of the present invention. It is seen that the interior 42 of the eradication device 100 comprises a firing mechanism 200 comprising an ejector mechanism 202 and a reloading mechanism 204, a power source 8 in the form of a battery, and an electronic controller 20.

[0179] The power source 8 is for powering the sensor means 6 and the firing mechanism 200.

[0180] The firing mechanism is configured, upon receiving a trigger signal TS, to eject the killing means 10 from the non-ejected, stand-by configuration, as illustrated in Fig. 1 and 3a, to its ejected configuration as illustrated in Fig. 2 and 3b, where the killing means 10 has been ejected.

[0181] It is seen in Fig. 6 that the sensor means 6 is arranged below the horizontally arranged plate 44 at the lower portion of the eradication device 100. Hereby, the sensor means 6 is able to sense a presence of a rodent at a location which is within reach of an impact element 14 of one or more of the killing means, when the killing means is in its ejected configuration.

[0182] Also seen in Fig. 6 is the presence of a spindle arrangement 214 comprising a spindle 216 being driven by a motor 218 which collectively are being part of the reloading mechanism 204.

[0183] The working mode of the ejector mechanism 202 and of the reloading mechanism 204 of the firing mechanism 200 in particular is further explained with reference to Fig. 7a, 7b and 7c.

[0184] Fig. 7a is a perspective view of a firing mechanism of an eradication device according to the present invention, wherein the killings means are in its ejected configuration.

[0185] Fig. 7a shows the firing mechanism 200 which integrally comprises an ejector mechanism 202 and a reloading mechanism 204.

[0186] Fig. 7a shows that two killing means 10 are mounted to a movable support element 208. The movable support element 208 is able to slide up and down along the extension of four guide members 210 between a lower position and a stationary support element 230 arranged at the top.

[0187] Fig. 7a shows that the ejector mechanism 202 is being spring-loaded in that a spring 212 is wound around two of the four guide members 210 in such a way that these two springs participate in ejecting the killing means 10 from its non-ejected, stand-by configuration to its ejected configuration.

[0188] Fig. 7a shows that the reloading mechanism 204 comprises a spindle arrangement 214 comprising a spindle 216, a motor 218 for driving that spindle 216, a lifting element 220 for lifting the movable support element 208, and a tube 222 which is being connected to the movable support element 208, and finally also an electrically actuated lock 224.

[0189] It is seen that the tube 222 is surrounding the spindle 216. The lifting element 220 comprises a threaded hole 226 engaging with the spindle 216 and the lifting element 220, holding the killing means, is being arranged below the movable support element 208.

[0190] Also seen in Fig. 7a is that the tube 222 comprises an engagement element 228 in the form of a collar at an upper part thereof.

[0191] The electrically actuated lock 224 is configured to change configuration between a looking configuration in which said lock is engaging with the collar 228 of the tube 222 and an unlocking configuration in which the electrically actuated lock 224 is disengaging from that collar 226 of the tube 222, and vice versa. This will happen upon supplying an electrical signal to the electrically actuated lock 224.

[0192] The lifting element 220 is being arranged so as to not become brought into rotation upon rotation of the spindle 216. This is ensured by being held in place by the guide members 210.

[0193] The reloading mechanism 204 is configured, when the eradication device is being in its ejected configuration as shown in Fig. 6a, to lift the movable support element 208, and thereby also lift said killing means 10, upon turning the spindle in one rotational direction via the motor 218. Hereby the springs 212 will be compressed.

[0194] This situation is illustrated in Fig. 7b.

[0195] Fig. 7b is a perspective view of the firing mechanism of Fig. 7a, wherein the firing mechanism is in the process of being reloaded.

[0196] Fig. 7b shows that the movable support element 208, and thereby also the tube 222 have been lifted a predetermined distance. In the configuration illustrated in Fig. 7b, the electrically actuated lock 224 is ready to engage with the collar 228 of the tube 222 and thereby lock the position of the movable support element 208 into a locked position.

[0197] In this situation the spindle 216 can be brought to rotational movement in an opposite rotational direction via the motor 218. Hereby the spindle will lower the movable lifting element 220, whereafter the movable support element 208 is free to be moved by the springs 212, once the electrically actuated lock 224 disengages from the collar 228.

[0198] This situation is illustrated in Fig. 7c. In this situation the reloading of the firing mechanism 200 is complete.

[0199] Fig. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating the working mode of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0200] Fig. 8 shows that eradication device 100 comprising an electronic controller 20, sensor means 6, an ejector mechanism 202 of a firing mechanism 200, a reloading mechanism 204 of a firing mechanism 200 and a wireless communication unit 50.

[0201] A power source 8 in the form of a battery is powering the electronic controller 20, the sensor means 6, the ejector mechanism 202, the reloading mechanism 204 and the wireless communication unit 50. When the sensor means 6 detect a presence of a rodent, such as a rat, the sensor will send a sensor signal SS to the electronic controller 20. This will make the electronic controller 20 send a trigger signal TS to the ejector mechanism 202. Upon receiving such as trigger signal TS the firing mechanism 200 will change its configuration from its non-ejected, stand-by configuration to its ejected configuration, and thereby eject the killing means 10.

[0202] Subsequent to having ejected the killing means, the electronic controller will transmit reload instructions RI to the reloading device 204.

[0203] With reference to Fig. 7a, 7b and 7c, such reload instructions RI may constitute instructions leading to the following actions: i) make the motor rotate in one rotational direction so as to raise the movable support element 208 and thereby the killing means 10; ii) make the electrically actuated lock 224 engage with the collar 228, and thereby lock the position of the movable support element 208; iii) make the motor rotate in the opposite rotational direction so as to lower the movable lifting element 220, whereby the movable support element 208 with its killing means is free, via spring loading, to be ejected to its ejected configuration, once the electrically actuated lock 224 disengages with the collar 228 when a trigger signal TS has been send to the electronic controller 20. This will in turn imply making the electrically actuated lock 224 disengage with the collar 228.

[0204] Also seen in Fig. 8 is that the electronic controller 20 is connected to a data memory which may store information relating to occurrences of varies activities and time stamps of such activities of the eradication device 100.

[0205] Fig. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating the concept of an eradication system according to the second aspect of the present invention.

[0206] Fig. 9 shows the eradication system 400 comprising a plurality (twelve) eradication devices 100 according to the first aspect of the invention in combination with a central data logger 48.

[0207] The eradication devises are arranged at different positions in the interior of a sewer system.

[0208] Each of the eradication devices 100 comprises an electronic controller 20 and a wireless communication unit 50.

[0209] The electronic controller 20 is configured to communicate to the wireless communication unit 50, activity information relating to various activities, such as: “a rodent has been detected by the sensor means 6”; “the firing mechanism 200, such as said ejector mechanism 202 of said firing mechanism has ejected said killing means 10 and thereby brought said killing means from its non-ejected stand-by configuration to its ejected configuration”; “the firing mechanism 200, such as said reloading mechanism 204 of said firing mechanism has brought said killing means 10 from its ejected configuration to its non-ejected, stand-by position “identity of the eradication device 100 performing one or more of such activities”; “geographical position of the eradication device being active”; “activities relating to power consumption, optionally as a function of time”; “estimated size of rodents being detected by said sensor means”; “number of times that said firing mechanism 200 has ejected said killing means 10, such as number of times that said ejector mechanism 202 of said firing mechanism has ejected said killing means 10”;

[0210] In case the eradiation device 100 is also provided with an electronic inclinometer, an electronic sensor for measuring electric conductivity of water in a sewer pipe, a temperature sensor for measuring temperature of water in a sewer pipe, and a sensor for measuring the water level in a sewer pipe, then the electronic controller 20 may communicate to the wireless communication unit 50, information relating to various conditions, such as “inclination of said eradication device”; “electric conductivity of water in a sewer pipe”; “water level of water in a sewer pipe”; “temperature of water in a sewer pipe”.

[0211] Besides, time stamps relating to time of occurrence of any of the above-mentioned activities or conditions may be communicated to that communication unit 50.

[0212] In a second aspect the present invention relates to an eradication system 400 comprising one or more eradication devices 100 according to the first aspect of the present invention in combination with a central data logger 48; wherein in respect of one or more of said one or more eradication devices 100, said eradication device comprises an electronic controller 20 and a wireless communication unit 50, and optionally also an electronic inclinometer, optionally also an electronic sensor for measuring electric conductivity of water in a sewer pipe, optionally also a temperature sensor for measuring temperature of water in a sewer pipe, and optionally also a sensor for measuring the water level in a sewer pipe; wherein said electronic controller 20 is being configured to communicate to said wireless communication unit 50, activity information relating to activities or conditions of said eradication device 100.

[0213] Such eradiation system allows for monitoring the activities performed or conditions encountered by the various eradiation devices of the system.

[0214] In one embodiment of the eradiation device according to the first aspect of the present invention the activity information relates to one or more of the following:

[0215] -a rodent has been detected by said sensor means 6;

[0216] -said firing mechanism 200, such as said ejector mechanism 202 of said firing mechanism has ejected said killing means 10 and thereby brought said killing means from its non-ejected stand-by configuration to its ejected configuration;

[0217] -said firing mechanism 200, such as said reloading mechanism 204 of said firing mechanism has brought said killing means 10 from its ejected configuration to its non-ejected, stand-by position;

[0218] -identity of the eradication device being active;

[0219] -geographical position of the eradication device being active;

[0220] -activities relating to power consumption, optionally as a function of time;

[0221] -estimated size of rodents being detected by said sensor means; -number of times that said firing mechanism 200 has ejected said killing means 10, such as number of times that said ejector mechanism 202 of said firing mechanism has ejected said killing means 10;

[0222] -inclination of said eradication device;

[0223] - electric conductivity of water in a sewer pipe;

[0224] -water level of water in a sewer pipe;

[0225] -temperature of water in a sewer pipe;

[0226] -time stamps relating to time of occurrence of any of the above-mentioned activities or conditions;

[0227] -electric capacity or voltage of said power source; and wherein said communication unit 50 is configured to transmit to said central data logger 48 by wireless transmission, information representing said activity information.

[0228] The communication unit 50 is configured to convey to the central data logger 48 by wireless transmission, information representing that activity information.

[0229] The central data logger 48 may be in the form of a central data server.

[0230] Hereby it is possible, via the central data server to monitor the activities of the eradication devices, which specific eradication device 100 is performing which activity and at which location and at which time.

[0231] Thereby some knowledge will be attained relating to activities of rodents, such as rats, living in a sewer system.

[0232] Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating the concept of magnitude of curvature as employed in the present patent application.

[0233] It is an essential feature of the eradication device 100 that the impact element 14 of the killing means 10 is being a blunt impact element. Hereby is to be understood that a lower impact area 24 of the impact element 14 is having a “non-sharp” surface. Such a non-sharp surface is suitable being defined by the curvature as defined by d<b / ds of the lower impact area 24 of the impact element 14 of the killing means 10.

[0234] According to the invention the curvature (d<b / ds) of the lower impact area 24 of the impact element 14 of the killing means 10 may be 0 - 45° / cm.

[0235] Fig. 10 illustrates how this is to be understood.

[0236] Fig. 10 shows the lower impact area 24 of the impact element 14 of the killing means 10. The impact area 24 is having a curvature C. A first point Pi on the lower impact area 24 defines a first tangent Ti. A second point P2 on the lower impact area 24 defines a second tangent T2. The angle between tangent Ti and tangent T2 is d<b. The curved distance between Pi and P2 is defined as ds (illustrated in Fig. 9 as a double curve).

[0237] The curvature of the lower impact area 24 is hence defined as d<b / ds, which should preferably be 45° / cm or less in order to qualify as being blunt.

[0238] Clauses

[0239] The present invention in its various aspects may be defined according to one or more of the following clauses:

[0240] Clause 1: An eradication device (100) for killing rodents, such as rats, wherein said eradication device, in the orientation intended during use, comprises:

[0241] -a housing (2);

[0242] -a firing mechanism (200);

[0243] -sensor means (6);

[0244] -a power source (8); wherein said power source (8) is configured for powering said sensor means (6) and said firing mechanism (200); wherein said housing (2) comprises said firing mechanism (200); wherein said firing mechanism (200) comprises one or more killing means (10); wherein said firing mechanism is configured, upon receiving a trigger signal (TS), to eject one or more of said killing means (10) from a non-ejected, stand-by configuration, thereby making said killing means (10) arrive at an ejected configuration; wherein said killing means (10) of said firing mechanism (200) comprises a free first end (12) comprising an impact element (14) for killing said rodent upon impact, caused by ejection of said killing means (10); wherein said sensor means (6) is arranged relative to said killing means (10) in such a way that said sensor means (6) is being configured to be able to sense a presence of a rodent at a location which is within reach of an impact element (14) of one or more of said killing means, when said killing means is being in its ejected configuration; wherein said eradication device is being configured, upon sensing a presence of a rodent by said sensor means, to make said firing mechanism (200) receive said trigger signal (TS) and thereby eject one or more of said killing means (10); characterized in that said impact element (14) is being a blunt impact element for ensuring a non-invasive killing of said rodent. Clause 2: An eradication device (100) according to Clause 1, wherein said firing mechanism (200) is being configured, subsequent to having ejected one or more of said killing means (10), to reload said killing means (10) by making said killing means return to its non-ejected, stand-by configuration.

[0245] Clause 3: An eradication device (100) according to Clause 1 or 2, wherein said firing mechanism (200) comprises an ejector mechanism (202) and a reloading mechanism (204), wherein said ejector mechanism (202) is being configured to eject said one or more of said killing means (10) and thereby bring said killing means from its non-ejected, stand-by configuration to its ejected configuration; and wherein said reloading mechanism (204) is being configured to reload said killing means by bringing said killing means (10) from its ejected configuration to its to non-ejected, stand-by configuration.

[0246] Clause 4: An eradication device (100) according to Clause 3, wherein said ejector mechanism (202) and said reloading mechanism (204) are being separate entities or are being integrated into a single unit.

[0247] Clause 5: An eradication device (100) according to Clause 4, wherein said firing mechanism (200) comprises a stationary part (206) which is being attached to said housing (2), and a movable support element (208) which is being configured to be ejected in a direction away from said stationary part (206); thereby enabling said movable support element (208) to be displaced relative to said stationary part (206) between said non-ejected, stand-by configuration and said ejected configuration, and vice versa; wherein said movable support element (208) of said firing mechanism (200) is being connected to said one or more killing means (10) at a second end (16) thereof.

[0248] Clause 6: An eradication device (100) according to Clause 5, wherein said stationary part (206) of said firing mechanism (200) comprises or is being connected to one more guide members (210) in the form of rod(s), wherein said movable support element (208) is being configured to slide along a longitudinal extension of said guide member(s) (210).

[0249] Clause 7: An eradication device 100 according to any of the Clauses 1 - 6, wherein said ejector mechanism (202) is being spring-loaded by one or more springs (212) in such a way that said one or more springs participate in ejecting said killing means (10) from its nonejected, stand-by configuration to its ejected configuration.

[0250] Clause 8: An eradication device (100) according to any of the Clauses 3 - 7, wherein said firing mechanism (200) comprises:

[0251] -a spindle arrangement (214) comprising a spindle (216);

[0252] -a motor (218) for driving said spindle (216);

[0253] -a lifting element (220) for lifting said movable support element (208);

[0254] -a tube (222) being connected to said movable support element (208); -an electrically actuated lock (224); wherein said tube (222) is surrounding said spindle (216); wherein said lifting element (220) comprises a threaded hole (226) engaging with said spindle (216); wherein said lifting element (220) is being arranged below said movable support element (208); wherein said tube (222) comprises an engagement element (228), such as a collar, such as at an upper part thereof; wherein said electrically actuated lock (224) is configured to change configuration between a locking configuration in which said lock is engaging with said engagement element (228) of said tube (222) and an unlocking configuration in which said electrically actuated lock (224) is disengaging from said engagement element (228) of said tube (222), and vice versa, upon being supplied with an electrical signal thereto.

[0255] Clause 9: An eradication device (100) according to Clause 7 and 8, wherein said stationary part (206) of said firing mechanism (200) comprises or is being connected to a stationary support element (230), wherein said spring(s) (212) is / are being arranged between said movable support element (208) and said stationary support element (230), such as being arranged so as to surround one or more of said guide member(s) (210).

[0256] Clause 10: An eradication device (100) according to Clause 8 or 9, wherein said lifting element (220) is being configured for not being brought into rotation upon rotation of said spindle (216), such as by being held in place by said guide member(s) (210).

[0257] Clause 11: An eradication device (100) according to any of the Clauses 8 - 10, wherein said reloading mechanism (204) is configured, when said eradication device is being in its ejected configuration, to lift said movable support element (208), and thereby also lift said killing means (10), upon turning said spindle in one rotational direction via said motor (218), and thereby also to compress said one or more springs (212).

[0258] Clause 12: An eradication device (100) according to any of the Clauses 8 - 11, wherein, once said movable support element (208), and thereby also said tube (222) have been lifted a predetermined distance, said electrically actuated lock (224) is being configured to be able to lock the position of said movable support element (208) by entering into engagement with said engagement element (228) of said tube (222).

[0259] Clause 13: An eradication device (100) according to any of the Clauses 8 - 12, wherein, once the position of said movable support element (208) has been by locked by said electrically actuated lock (224), said movable lifting element (220) is being configured to be lowered by turning said spindle in an opposite rotational direction via said motor (218), thereby rendering reloading of said firing mechanism (200) complete. Clause 14: An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding Clauses, wherein said eradication device comprises an electronic controller (20), wherein said electronic controller is being connected to said sensor means (6) and to said firing mechanism (200), wherein said sensor means (6) is being configured to transmit a sensing signal (SS) to said electronic controller (20), upon sensing a presence of a rodent by said sensor means; and wherein said electronic controller (20) is being configured, to subsequently transmit to said firing mechanism (200), said trigger signal (TS), thereby causing one or more of said one or more killing means (10) to be ejected from its non-ejected, stand-by configuration so as to arrive at its ejected configuration.

[0260] Clause 15: An eradication device (100) according to Clause 14, wherein said electronic controller (20) is being powered by said power source (8).

[0261] Clause 16: An eradication device (100) according to Clause 14 or 15, wherein said electronic controller (20) is being configured to transmit said trigger signal (TS) to said ejector mechanism (202) of said firing mechanism (200).

[0262] Clause 17: An eradication device (100) according to Clause 3 and according to any of the Clauses 14 - 16, wherein said electronic controller (20) is being configured to transmit a reloading instructions (RI) to said reloading mechanism (204), thereby causing said killing means (10) to be brought from its ejected configuration to its non-ejected, stand-by configuration, subsequent to being ejected.

[0263] Clause 18: An eradication device (100) according to any of the Clauses 14 - 17, wherein said eradication device comprises a data memory (22), wherein said data memory is being configured to store thereon, time stamps relating to time of occurrence of activities of said electronic controller (20) and / or said firing mechanism (200).

[0264] Clause 19: An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the dimension and geometry of said impact element (14) on the one hand and the impact power of said firing mechanism (200) on the other hand are adapted to each other in such a way, that no piercing of the skin of said rodent is possible upon killing said rodent by impacting with said impact element upon ejecting said killing means.

[0265] Clause 20: An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the thickness of said impact element (14) is no less than any dimension selected from the ranges 3 - 30 mm, such as 4 - 25 mm, for example 5 - 20 mm, such as 8 - 15 mm or 10 - 12 mm.

[0266] Clause 21: An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the curvature, in any direction, as defined by d / ds, of a lower impact area (24) of said impact element (14) of said killing means (10) is selected from the ranges of 0 - 45° / cm, such as 5 - 40° / cm, for example 10 - 35° / cm, e.g. 15 - 30° / cm or 20 - 25° / cm.

[0267] Clause 22: An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding Clauses, wherein said power source (8) is being in the form of a battery, such as rechargeable battery. Clause 23: An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding Clauses wherein the number of killing means (10) of said eradication device (100) is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 or more.

[0268] Clause 24: An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding Clauses wherein said sensor means (6) comprises one or more sensors, such as 1 or 2 sensors (6a, 6b).

[0269] Clause 25: An eradication device (100) according to Clause 24 comprising two sensors (6a, 6b), wherein said eradication device is being configured to only eject said killing means (10), once both sensors (6a, 6b) have detected a presence of a rodent, such as once both sensors (6a, 6b) simultaneously have detected a presence of a rodent.

[0270] Clause 26: An eradication device (100) according to Clause 24 or 25, wherein said sensor(s) (6a, 6b) of said sensor means (6) is / are an IR sensor, such as being of the type PIR (Passive Infra Red sensor)

[0271] Clause 27: An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding Clauses wherein in respect of one or more of said killing means (10), said killing means comprises a number of vertically extending rods (26), such as one, two or three vertically extending rods (26), each having an upper end (28) and a lower end (30), wherein said rods (26) at their respective lower ends (30) are being connected to each other by a plate element (32), wherein a lower rim (34) of said plate element defines said impact element (14).

[0272] Clause 28: An eradication device (100) according to Clause 27, wherein said plate element (32) is being planar or is having the shape of a segment of a cylinder wall.

[0273] Clause 29: An eradication device (100) according to any of the Clauses 1 - 26, wherein in respect of one or more of said killing means (10), said killing means comprises a number of vertically extending rods (26), each having an upper end (28) and a lower end (30), wherein said rods (26) at a position which does not correspond to their respective lower ends (30) are being connected to each other by a plate element (32), wherein in respect of one or more of said rods, said lower end (30) defines said impact element (14).

[0274] Clause 30: An eradication device (100) according to Clause 29, wherein in respect of each said killing means, said number of vertically extending rods (26) is selected from the ranges of 2 - 15 or more rods, such as 3 - 14 rods, for example 4 - 13 rods, e.g. 5 - 12 rods, such as 6 - 11 rods, for example 7 - 10 rods or 8 - 9 rods.

[0275] Clause 31: An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding Clauses, wherein in respect of one or more of said killing means (10), the travelling distance of said killing means, upon being displaced from its non-ejected, standby position to its ejected position is selected from the ranges of 5 - 50 cm or more, such as 10 - 45 cm, for example 15 - 40 cm, e.g. 20 - 35 cm or 35 - 30 cm.

[0276] Clause 32: An eradication device (100) according to any of the Clauses 27 - 31, wherein said plate element (32) is having an extension, in a vertical direction Z, of 5 - 30 cm, such as 10 - 25 cm or 15 - 20 cm and / or wherein said plate element is having an extension, in a direction perpendicular to said vertical direction (Z) and extending in a direction between said vertically extending rods of 5 - 30 cm, such as 10 - 25 cm or 15 - 20 cm.

[0277] Clause 33: An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding Clauses, wherein said housing (2) comprises an essentially vertically extending enclosure (36) having an upper end (38) and a lower end (40); wherein said enclosure in its interior (42) is accommodating said a firing mechanism (200), said power source 8 and said electronic controller (20), if being present, wherein said firing mechanism (200) is oriented in such a way that said displacement of said killing means (10) takes place in an essentially vertical direction.

[0278] Clause 34: An eradication device (100) according to Clause 33, wherein said essentially vertically extending enclosure (36) at its lower end (40) is being connected to an essentially horizontally oriented plate (44), wherein said plate comprises one or more openings (46) enabling said one or more killing means (10), including the impact element (14) thereof, to penetrate said plate (44).

[0279] Clause 35: An eradication device (100) to Clause 34, wherein said sensor means (6, 6a, 6b) is / are being arranged at said plate.

[0280] Clause 36: An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding Clauses, wherein said eradication device comprises one or more mounting elements (300) which is / are configured to enter into engagement with a sewer pipe, thereby enabling mounting of said device in the interior of an existing sewer pipe.

[0281] Clause 37: An eradication system (400) comprising one or more eradication devices (100) according to any of the Clauses 1 - 36 in combination with a central data logger (48); wherein in respect of one or more of said one or more eradication devices (100), said eradication devices comprises an electronic controller (20) and a wireless communication unit (50), and optionally also an electronic inclinometer, optionally also an electronic sensor for measuring electric conductivity of water in a sewer, optionally also a temperature sensor for measuring temperature of water in a sewer, and optionally also a sensor for measuring the water level in a sewer; wherein said electronic controller (20) is being configured to communicate to said wireless communication unit (50), activity information relating to activities or conditions of said eradication device (10)0.

[0282] Clause 38: An eradication system (400) according to Clause 37, wherein said activity information relates to one or more of the following:

[0283] -a rodent has been detected by said sensor means (6);

[0284] -said firing mechanism (200), such as said ejector mechanism (202) of said firing mechanism has ejected said killing means (10) and thereby brought said killing means from its non-ejected stand-by configuration to its ejected configuration; -said firing mechanism (200), such as said reloading mechanism (204) of said firing mechanism has brought said killing means (10) from its ejected configuration to its non-ejected, stand-by position;

[0285] -identity of the eradication device being active;

[0286] -geographical position of the eradication device being active;

[0287] -activities relating to power consumption, optionally as a function of time;

[0288] -estimated size of rodents being detected by said sensor means;

[0289] -number of times that said firing mechanism (200) has ejected said killing means (10), such as number of times that said ejector mechanism (202) of said firing mechanism has ejected said killing means (10);

[0290] -inclination of said eradication device;

[0291] - measuring electric conductivity of water in a sewer pipe;

[0292] -water level of water in a sewer pipe;

[0293] -temperature of water in a sewer pipe;

[0294] -time stamps relating to time of occurrence of any of the above-mentioned activities;

[0295] -electric capacity or voltage of said power source; and wherein said communication unit (50) is configured to transmit to said central data logger (48) by wireless transmission, information representing said activity information.

[0296] Clause 39: An eradication system (400) according to Clause 37 or 38, wherein said central data logger (48) is being in the form of a central data server.

[0297] Clause 40: An eradication system (400) according to any of the Clauses 37 - 39, wherein in respect of one or more of said eradication devices (100), said wireless communication unit (50) of said eradication device is being in the form of a communication unit, such as a modem, configured to communicate via an existing cellular mobile phone network.

[0298] Clause 41: An eradication system (400) according to any of the Clauses 37 - 40, wherein the number of eradication devices (100) of said system is selected from the ranges of 1 - 10,000 or more, such as 5 - 5,000; for example 20 - 3,000, such as 50 - 2,000, e.g. 100 - 1,000, such as 200 - 900, for example 300 - 800, such as 400 - 700 or 500 - 600.

[0299] Clause 42: Use of an eradication device (100) according to any of the Clauses 1 - 36 or of an eradication system (400) according to any the Clauses 37 - 41 for eradicating rodents, such as rats. Clause 43: Use according to Clause 42, wherein said use takes place in the interior of a sewer system.

[0300] Clause 44 A method for eradicating rodents, such as rats, wherein said method comprises the following steps: i) providing one or more eradication devices (100) according to any of the Clauses 1 - 36; ii) arranging said one or more eradication devices (100) in the interior of a sewer pipe of a sewer system; iii) enabling a rodent, such as a rat to approach one or more of said eradication devices (100); iv) in respect of such an eradication device (100), enabling said sensor means (6) of said eradication device (100) to sense a presence of said rodent; v) upon sensing the presence of said rodent, enabling said sensor means (6) to make said firing mechanism (200) receive said trigger signal (TS) and thereby make said firing mechanism eject one or more of said killing means (10), thereby killing said rodent by non- invasive mechanical impact with said impact element.

[0301] Clause 45: A method according to Clause 44, wherein said method further comprising the step of: vi) automatically making said killing means (10) return to its non-ejected, stand-by configuration.

[0302] Clause 46: A method according to Clause 44 or 45, wherein said method further comprising the step of: vii) allowing said killed rodent to be flushed away by water or slurry flowing in the interior said sewer pipe.

[0303] Clause 47: A method according to any of the Clauses 44 - 46, wherein said one or more eradication devices (100) form(s) part of an eradication system (400) according to any of the Clauses 37 - 41.

[0304] It should be understood that all features and achievements discussed above and in the appended claims in relation to one aspect of the present invention and embodiments thereof apply equally well to the other aspects of the present invention and embodiments thereof. List of reference numerals

[0305] 2 Housing

[0306] 6 Sensor means

[0307] 6a, 6b Sensor of sensor means

[0308] 8 Power source

[0309] 10 Killing means

[0310] 12 Free first end of killing means

[0311] 14 Impact element of killing means

[0312] 16 Second end of killing means

[0313] 20 Electronic controller

[0314] 22 Data memory

[0315] 24 Lower impact area of impact element

[0316] 26 Rod of killing means

[0317] 28 Upper end of rod

[0318] 30 Lower end of rod

[0319] 32 Plate element of killing means

[0320] 34 Lower rim of plate element

[0321] 36 Vertically extending enclosure of housing

[0322] 38 Upper end of housing

[0323] 40 Lower end of housing

[0324] 42 Interior of enclosure

[0325] 44 Horizontally extending plate

[0326] 46 Opening in horizontally extending plate

[0327] 48 Central data logger

[0328] 50 Wireless communication unit

[0329] 100 Eradication device

[0330] 200 Firing mechanism

[0331] 202 Ejector mechanism

[0332] 204 Reloading mechanism

[0333] 206 Stationary part of firing mechanism 208 Movable support element

[0334] 210 Guide member

[0335] 212 Spring of ejector mechanism

[0336] 214 Spindle arrangement of reloading device

[0337] 216 Spindle of spindle arrangement

[0338] 218 Motor of spindle arrangement

[0339] 220 Lifting element of spindle arrangement

[0340] 222 Tube

[0341] 224 Electrically actuated lock

[0342] 226 Threaded hole in lifting element of spindle arrangement

[0343] 228 Engagement element of upper part of tube

[0344] 230 Stationary support element

[0345] 300 Mounting element of eradication device

[0346] 400 Eradication system

[0347] Pi First point on curve

[0348] Ti Tangent of curve at point Pi

[0349] P2 Second point on curve

[0350] T2 Tangent of curve at point P2 dS Curve distance between points Pi and P2 d Angle between tangents Ti and T2

[0351] RI Reloading instruction

[0352] SS Sensing signal

[0353] TS Trigger signal

Claims

Claims1. An eradication device (100) for killing rodents, such as rats, in a sewer system, wherein said eradication device, in the orientation intended during use, comprises:-a housing (2);-a firing mechanism (200);-sensor means (6);-a power source (8); wherein said power source (8) is configured for powering said sensor means (6) and said firing mechanism (200); wherein said housing (2) comprises said firing mechanism (200); wherein said firing mechanism (200) comprises one or more killing means (10); wherein said firing mechanism is configured, upon receiving a trigger signal (TS), to eject one or more of said killing means (10) from a non-ejected, stand-by configuration, thereby making said killing means (10) arrive at an ejected configuration; wherein said killing means (10) of said firing mechanism (200) comprises a free first end (12) comprising an impact element (14) for killing said rodent upon impact, caused by ejection of said killing means (10); wherein said sensor means (6) is arranged relative to said killing means (10) in such a way that said sensor means (6) is being configured to be able to sense a presence of a rodent at a location which is within reach of an impact element (14) of one or more of said killing means, when said killing means is being in its ejected configuration; wherein said eradication device is being configured, upon sensing a presence of a rodent by said sensor means, to make said firing mechanism (200) receive said trigger signal (TS) and thereby eject one or more of said killing means (10); wherein said eradication device comprises one or more mounting elements (300) which is / are configured to enter into engagement with a sewer pipe, thereby enabling mounting of said eradication device in the interior of an existing sewer pipe of said sewer system; wherein said impact element (14) is being a blunt impact element for ensuring a non-invasive killing of said rodent; and wherein the dimension and geometry of said impact element (14) on the one hand and the impact power of said firing mechanism (200) on the other hand are adapted to each other in such a way, that no piercing of the skin of said rodent is possible upon killing said rodent by impacting with said impact element upon ejecting said killing means.

2. An eradication device (100) according to claim 1, wherein said firing mechanism (200) is being configured, subsequent to having ejected one or more of said killing means (10), to reload said killing means (10) by making said killing means return to its non-ejected, stand-by configuration.

3. An eradication device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said firing mechanism (200) comprises an ejector mechanism (202) and a reloading mechanism (204), wherein said ejector mechanism (202) is being configured to eject said one or more of said killing means (10) and thereby bring said killing means from its non-ejected, stand-by configuration to its ejected configuration; and wherein said reloading mechanism (204) is being configured to reload said killing means by bringing said killing means (10) from its ejected configuration to its to nonejected, stand-by configuration.

4. An eradication device (100) according to claim 3, wherein said ejector mechanism (202) and said reloading mechanism (204) are being separate entities or are being integrated into a single unit.

5. An eradication device (100) according to claim 4, wherein said firing mechanism (200) comprises a stationary part (206) which is being attached to said housing (2), and a movable support element (208) which is being configured to be ejected in a direction away from said stationary part (206); thereby enabling said movable support element (208) to be displaced relative to said stationary part (206) between said non-ejected, stand-by configuration and said ejected configuration, and vice versa; wherein said movable support element (208) of said firing mechanism (200) is being connected to said one or more killing means (10) at a second end (16) thereof.

6. An eradication device (100) according to claim 5, wherein said stationary part (206) of said firing mechanism (200) comprises or is being connected to one more guide members (210) in the form of rod(s), wherein said movable support element (208) is being configured to slide along a longitudinal extension of said guide member(s) (210).

7. An eradication device 100 according to any of the claims 1 - 6, wherein said ejector mechanism (202) is being spring-loaded by one or more springs (212) in such a way that said one or more springs participate in ejecting said killing means (10) from its non-ejected, standby configuration to its ejected configuration.

8. An eradication device (100) according to any of the claims 3 - 7, wherein said firing mechanism (200) comprises:-a spindle arrangement (214) comprising a spindle (216);-a motor (218) for driving said spindle (216);-a lifting element (220) for lifting said movable support element (208);-a tube (222) being connected to said movable support element (208);-an electrically actuated lock (224); wherein said tube (222) is surrounding said spindle (216); wherein said lifting element (220) comprises a threaded hole (226) engaging with said spindle (216); wherein said lifting element (220) is being arranged below said movable support element (208); wherein said tube (222) comprises an engagement element (228), such as a collar, such as at an upper part thereof; wherein said electrically actuated lock (224) is configured to change configuration between a locking configuration in which said lock is engaging with said engagement element (228) of said tube (222) and an unlocking configuration in which said electrically actuated lock (224) is disengaging from said engagement element (228) of said tube (222), and vice versa, upon being supplied with an electrical signal thereto.

9. An eradication device (100) according to claim 7 and 8, wherein said stationary part (206) of said firing mechanism (200) comprises or is being connected to a stationary support element (230), wherein said spring(s) (212) is / are being arranged between said movable support element (208) and said stationary support element (230), such as being arranged so as to surround one or more of said guide member(s) (210).

10. An eradication device (100) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said lifting element (220) is being configured for not being brought into rotation upon rotation of said spindle (216), such as by being held in place by said guide member(s) (210).

11. An eradication device (100) according to any of the claims 8 - 10, wherein said reloading mechanism (204) is configured, when said eradication device is being in its ejected configuration, to lift said movable support element (208), and thereby also lift said killing means (10), upon turning said spindle in one rotational direction via said motor (218), and thereby also to compress said one or more springs (212).

12. An eradication device (100) according to any of the claims 8 - 11, wherein, once said movable support element (208), and thereby also said tube (222) have been lifted a predetermined distance, said electrically actuated lock (224) is being configured to be able to lock the position of said movable support element (208) by entering into engagement with said engagement element (228) of said tube (222).

13. An eradication device (100) according to any of the claims 8 - 12, wherein, once the position of said movable support element (208) has been by locked by said electrically actuated lock (224), said movable lifting element (220) is being configured to be lowered by turning said spindle in an opposite rotational direction via said motor (218), thereby rendering reloading of said firing mechanism (200) complete.

14. An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said eradication device comprises an electronic controller (20), wherein said electronic controller is being connected to said sensor means (6) and to said firing mechanism (200), wherein said sensor means (6) is being configured to transmit a sensing signal (SS) to said electronic controller (20), upon sensing a presence of a rodent by said sensor means; and wherein said electronic controller (20) is being configured, to subsequently transmit to said firing mechanism (200), said trigger signal (TS), thereby causing one or more of said one or more killing means (10) to be ejected from its non-ejected, stand-by configuration so as to arrive at its ejected configuration.

15. An eradication device (100) according to claim 14, wherein said electronic controller (20) is being powered by said power source (8).

16. An eradication device (100) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein said electronic controller (20) is being configured to transmit said trigger signal (TS) to said ejector mechanism (202) of said firing mechanism (200).

17. An eradication device (100) according to claim 3 and according to any of the claims 14 - 16, wherein said electronic controller (20) is being configured to transmit a reloading instructions (RI) to said reloading mechanism (204), thereby causing said killing means (10) to be brought from its ejected configuration to its non-ejected, stand-by configuration, subsequent to being ejected.

18. An eradication device (100) according to any of the claims 14 - 17, wherein said eradication device comprises a data memory (22), wherein said data memory is being configured to store thereon, time stamps relating to time of occurrence of activities of said electronic controller (20) and / or said firing mechanism (200).

19. An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the dimension and geometry of said impact element (14) on the one hand and the travelling distance of said killing means (10) upon being displaced from its non-ejected, standby position to its ejected position, on the other hand, are adapted to each other in such a way, that no squashing of the body of said rodent is possible upon killing said rodent by impacting with said impact element upon ejecting said killing means.

20. An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said impact element (14) is a thin oblongly extending element.

21. An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of said impact element (14) is no less than any dimension selected from the ranges 3 - 30 mm, such as 4 - 25 mm, for example 5 - 20 mm, such as 8 - 15 mm or 10 - 12 mm, or wherein the thickness of said impact element (14) is selected from the ranges 3 - 30 mm, such as 4 - 25 mm, for example 5 - 20 mm, such as 8 - 15 mm or 10 - 12 mm.

22. An eradication device (100) according to any of the claims, wherein in respect of each killing means (10), the area of a lower portion of the impact element (14) thereof is having anarea of 25 - 10,000 mm2, such as 50 - 9,500 mm2, e.g. 100 - 9,000 mm2, for example 200 - 8,000 mm2, e.g. 400 - 6,000 mm2, for example 600 - 4,000 mm2, such as 800 - 3,000 mm2or 1,000 - 2,000 mm2.

23. An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the curvature, in any direction, as defined by d / ds, of a lower impact area (24) of said impact element (14) of said killing means (10) is selected from the ranges of 0 - 45° / cm, such as 5 - 40° / cm, for example 10 - 35° / cm, e.g. 15 - 30° / cm or 20 - 25° / cm.

24. An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said power source (8) is being in the form of a battery, such as rechargeable battery.

25. An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the number of killing means (10) of said eradication device (100) is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 or more.

26. An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding claims wherein said sensor means (6) comprises one or more sensors, such as 1 or 2 sensors (6a, 6b).

27. An eradication device (100) according to claim 26 comprising two sensors (6a, 6b), wherein said eradication device is being configured to only eject said killing means (10), once both sensors (6a, 6b) have detected a presence of a rodent, such as once both sensors (6a, 6b) simultaneously have detected a presence of a rodent.

28. An eradication device (100) according to claim 26 or 27, wherein said sensor(s) (6a, 6b) of said sensor means (6) is / are an IR sensor, such as being of the type PIR (Passive Infra Red sensor).

29. An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding claims wherein in respect of one or more of said killing means (10), said killing means comprises a number of vertically extending rods (26), such as one, two or three vertically extending rods (26), each having an upper end (28) and a lower end (30), wherein said rods (26) at their respective lower ends (30) are being connected to each other by a plate element (32), wherein a lower rim (34) of said plate element defines said impact element (14).

30. An eradication device (100) according to claim 29, wherein said plate element (32) is being planar or is having the shape of a segment of a cylinder wall.

31. An eradication device (100) according to any of the claims 1 - 28, wherein in respect of one or more of said killing means (10), said killing means comprises a number of vertically extending rods (26), each having an upper end (28) and a lower end (30), wherein said rods (26) at a position which does not correspond to their respective lower ends (30) are being connected to each other by a plate element (32), wherein in respect of one or more of said rods, said lower end (30) defines said impact element (14).

32. An eradication device (100) according to claim 31, wherein in respect of each said killing means, said number of vertically extending rods (26) is selected from the ranges of 2 - 15 ormore rods, such as 3 - 14 rods, for example 4 - 13 rods, e.g. 5 - 12 rods, such as 6 - 11 rods, for example 7 - 10 rods or 8 - 9 rods.

33. An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein in respect of one or more of said killing means (10), the travelling distance of said killing means, upon being displaced from its non-ejected, standby position to its ejected position is selected from the ranges of 5 - 50 cm or more, such as 10 - 45 cm, for example 15 - 40 cm, e.g. 20 - 35 cm or 35 - 30 cm.

34. An eradication device (100) according to any of the claims 29 - 33, wherein said plate element (32) is having an extension, in a vertical direction Z, of 5 - 30 cm, such as 10 - 25 cm or 15 - 20 cm and / or wherein said plate element is having an extension, in a direction perpendicular to said vertical direction (Z) and extending in a direction between said vertically extending rods of 5 - 30 cm, such as 10 - 25 cm or 15 - 20 cm.

35. An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said housing (2) comprises an essentially vertically extending enclosure (36) having an upper end (38) and a lower end (40); wherein said enclosure in its interior (42) is accommodating said a firing mechanism (200), said power source 8 and said electronic controller (20), if being present, wherein said firing mechanism (200) is oriented in such a way that said displacement of said killing means (10) takes place in an essentially vertical direction.

36. An eradication device (100) according to claim 35, wherein said essentially vertically extending enclosure (36) at its lower end (40) is being connected to an essentially horizontally oriented plate (44), wherein said plate comprises one or more openings (46) enabling said one or more killing means (10), including the impact element (14) thereof, to penetrate said plate (44).

37. An eradication device (100) to claim 36, wherein said sensor means (6, 6a, 6b) is / are being arranged at said plate.

38. An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said eradication device comprises a first mounting element (300) and a second mounting element (300) which are each configured to enter into engagement with a sewer pipe.

39. An eradication device (100) according to claim 38, wherein said first mounting element (300) comprises a curved portion essentially defining a segment of a cylinder wall; and / or wherein said second mounting element (300) comprises a curved portion essentially defining a segment of a cylinder wall.

40. An eradication system (400) comprising one or more eradication devices (100) according to any of the claims 1 - 39 in combination with a central data logger (48); wherein in respect of one or more of said one or more eradication devices (100), said eradication devices comprises an electronic controller (20) and a wireless communication unit (50), and optionally also an electronic inclinometer, optionally also an electronic sensor for measuring electric conductivity of water in a sewer, optionally also a temperature sensor for measuringtemperature of water in a sewer, and optionally also a sensor for measuring the water level in a sewer; wherein said electronic controller (20) is being configured to communicate to said wireless communication unit (50), activity information relating to activities or conditions of said eradication device (100).

41. An eradication system (400) according to claim 40, wherein said activity information relates to one or more of the following:-a rodent has been detected by said sensor means (6);-said firing mechanism (200), such as said ejector mechanism (202) of said firing mechanism has ejected said killing means (10) and thereby brought said killing means from its non-ejected stand-by configuration to its ejected configuration;-said firing mechanism (200), such as said reloading mechanism (204) of said firing mechanism has brought said killing means (10) from its ejected configuration to its non-ejected, stand-by position;-identity of the eradication device being active;-geographical position of the eradication device being active;-activities relating to power consumption, optionally as a function of time;-estimated size of rodents being detected by said sensor means;-number of times that said firing mechanism (200) has ejected said killing means (10), such as number of times that said ejector mechanism (202) of said firing mechanism has ejected said killing means (10);-inclination of said eradication device;- measuring electric conductivity of water in a sewer pipe;-water level of water in a sewer pipe;-temperature of water in a sewer pipe;-time stamps relating to time of occurrence of any of the above-mentioned activities;-electric capacity or voltage of said power source; and wherein said communication unit (50) is configured to transmit to said central data logger (48) by wireless transmission, information representing said activity information.

42. An eradication system (400) according to claim 40 or 41, wherein said central data logger (48) is being in the form of a central data server.

43. An eradication system (400) according to any of the claims 40 - 42, wherein in respect of one or more of said eradication devices (100), said wireless communication unit (50) of said eradication device is being in the form of a communication unit, such as a modem, configured to communicate via an existing cellular mobile phone network.

44. An eradication system (400) according to any of the claims 40 - 43, wherein the number of eradication devices (100) of said system is selected from the ranges of 1 - 10,000 or more, such as 5 - 5,000; for example 20 - 3,000, such as 50 - 2,000, e.g. 100 - 1,000, such as 200 - 900, for example 300 - 800, such as 400 - 700 or 500 - 600.

45. Use of an eradication device (100) according to any of the claims 1 - 39 or of an eradication system (400) according to any the claims 40 - 44 for eradicating rodents, such as rats.

46. Use according to claim 45, wherein said use takes place in the interior of a sewer system.

47. A method for eradicating rodents, such as rats, wherein said method comprises the following steps: i) providing one or more eradication devices (100) according to any of the claims 1 - 39; ii) arranging said one or more eradication devices (100) in the interior of a sewer pipe of a sewer system; iii) enabling a rodent, such as a rat to approach one or more of said eradication devices (100); iv) in respect of such an eradication device (100), enabling said sensor means (6) of said eradication device (100) to sense a presence of said rodent; v) upon sensing the presence of said rodent, enabling said sensor means (6) to make said firing mechanism (200) receive said trigger signal (TS) and thereby make said firing mechanism eject one or more of said killing means (10), thereby killing said rodent by non- invasive mechanical impact with said impact element.

48. A method according to claim 47, wherein said method further comprising the step of: vi) automatically making said killing means (10) return to its non-ejected, stand-by configuration.

49. A method according to claim 47 or 48, wherein said method further comprising the step of: vii) allowing said killed rodent to be flushed away by water or slurry flowing in the interior said sewer pipe.

50. A method according to any of the claims 47 - 49, wherein said one or more eradication devices (100) form(s) part of an eradication system (400) according to any of the claims 40 - 44.

51. A sewer pipe comprising an eradication device (100) according to any of the claims 1 - 39, wherein said mounting element(s) (300) of said eradication device (100) is / are in engagement with an inner surface of said sewer pipe so as to hold said eradication device (100) in place in the interior of said sewer pipe; wherein said eradication device (100) is being positioned in the interior of said sewer pipe in a way that ensures that when said killing means (10) of said firing mechanism (200) are in their ejected configuration, a free space between a lower portion of the impact element (14) of said killing means (10) and a lower, inner surface of said sewer pipe is present, thereby avoiding squashing of the rodent upon killing thereof.

52. A sewer pipe according to claim 51, wherein said free space between said lower portion of the impact element (14) of said killing means (10) and said lower, inner surface of said sewer pipe is having a magnitude of extension selected from the ranges of 1 - 40 mm, such as 2 - 38 mm, for example 3 - 36 mm, such as 4 - 34 mm, for example 5 - 32 mm, e.g. 6 - 30 mm, such as 7 - 28 mm, for example 8 - 26 mm, e.g. 9 - 24 mm, such as 10 - 22 mm, such as 12- 20 mm, e.g. 14 - 18 mm.

53. A sewer system comprising one or more sewer pipes as defined in claim 51 or 52.

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