Rodent barrier material and method of making rodent barrier material

Abstract

A rodent barrier material includes a curable carrier medium and a plurality of filaments dispersed in the curable carrier medium. Each filament of the plurality of filaments includes a central bend and a first end portion and a second end portion.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a rodent-proof barrier material, and to a method of manufacturing a rodent-proof barrier material. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a rodent-proof barrier material comprising a settable carrier medium having a plurality of filaments dispersed therein. BACKGROUND

[0002] Barrier materials such as polymer fillers, resins or caulks are commonly used to fill gaps and voids in walls such as buildings. However, a disadvantage of such barrier materials is that they can be breached by rodents, potentially allowing rodents to enter the gaps or voids, or to enter the building itself.

[0003] GB 2475677 A, published on 1 June 2011, discloses a barrier material comprising a carrier substrate and a plurality of metal wire strands distributed within the carrier substrate

[0004] The carrier substrate is susceptible to pest damage, and the distribution of the wire strands within the carrier substrate provides the barrier material with increased resistance to pest damage compared to the resistance to pest damage provided by the carrier material alone.

[0005] It would be advantageous to provide a barrier material that is more resistant to damage by rodents.

[0006] The present invention seeks to address and / or alleviate some or all of the above problems. Alternatively and / or additionally, the present invention seeks to provide an improved rodent-proof barrier material, and an improved method of manufacturing a rodent-proof barrier material. SUMMARY

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rodent-proof barrier material comprising:

[0008] a settable carrier medium; and

[0009] a plurality of filaments dispersed in the settable carrier medium;

[0010] wherein each filament of the plurality of filaments comprises a central bend, and a first end portion and a second end portion.

[0011] By having a plurality of filaments dispersed in a curable carrier medium, the barrier material can be used to provide a barrier to rodents as the filaments prevent the rodents from gnawing or damaging the barrier material. This is due to the teeth and / or claws of the rodents being unable to exert enough force to break through the filaments, and / or the filaments causing damage and / or discomfort to the teeth / claws of the rodents to deter the rodents from damaging the barrier material. It has been found that filaments comprising a bend having a first end and a second end are particularly effective at preventing damage by rodents. This can be due to the shape of the filaments being such that the rodents cannot avoid the tips of the filaments coming into contact with their teeth / mouth / feet. It can also be that the shape of the filaments means that the filaments tend to tangle together, thereby providing a more difficult barrier for the rodents to break through as individual filaments are not easily removed from the curable carrier medium by the rodents.

[0012] The central bend of each filament can span an angle of at least 90 degrees, or at least 120 degrees, or at least 180 degrees, or at least 270 degrees. More than 50%, more than 80% or more than 95% of the filaments dispersed in the curable carrier medium can span an angle of at least 90°, or at least 120°, or at least 180°, or at least 270°.

[0013] Preferably, the curable carrier medium comprises a polymer. Preferably, the curable carrier medium comprises a silicone-based polymer. Silicone-based polymers are preferred as they generally cure quickly, are flexible, odourless and flame retardant. In other embodiments of the application, the curable carrier medium can be formed from other materials.

[0014] At least some of the plurality of filaments can have first and second ends pointing in approximately the same direction. At least some of the plurality of filaments can be U-shaped. More than 50%, more than 80% or more than 95% of the filaments dispersed in the curable carrier medium can have first and second ends pointing in approximately the same direction and can be U-shaped.

[0015] At least some of the plurality of filaments can have first and second ends pointing in approximately opposite directions. At least some of the plurality of filaments can be in the shape of a capital Omega (i.e. Ω). In particular, at least some of the plurality of filaments can have a central bend spanning an angle of at least 180° or at least 270°, and ends bent in opposite directions to the central bend such that the tips of the ends distal from the central bend are distal from each other. More than 50%, more than 80% or more than 95% of the filaments dispersed in the curable carrier medium can have first and second ends pointing in approximately opposite directions and can be in the shape of a capital Omega.

[0016] More than 50%, more than 80% or more than 95% of the filaments dispersed in the curable carrier medium can be one of: a filament having a first end portion and a second end portion pointing in substantially the same direction, a U-shaped filament, a filament having a first end portion and a second end portion pointing in substantially opposite directions, or a capital Omega-shaped filament.

[0017] Preferably, the filaments are substantially rigid. By being substantially rigid, the filaments retain their shape in use, for example under the action of forces exerted when pressing the rodent-proof barrier material into a gap.

[0018] Advantageously, at least some of the plurality of filaments can be entangled with one another. This makes it difficult for a rodent to remove individual filaments from the barrier material.

[0019] Preferably, the plurality of filaments are formed from stainless steel wire. However, in other embodiments of the application, the plurality of filaments can also be formed from other materials.

[0020] According to a second aspect of the application, there is provided a method of manufacturing a rodent-proof barrier material as described above, comprising the steps of:

[0021] providing a mesh formed from interlocking loops of wire;

[0022] cutting the wire of the mesh between the interlocking loops to form a plurality of filaments;

[0023] providing a curable carrier medium,

[0024] combining the plurality of filaments with the curable carrier medium such that the plurality of filaments are distributed throughout the carrier.

[0025] This provides a particularly convenient and efficient way of forming the plurality of filaments in the required shape for the application. Multiple rows of interlocking loops can be cut at once, thereby enabling multiple filaments to be cut from the mesh at once.

[0026] Advantageously, the mesh can be a woven mesh. The shape of the wire of the mesh formed by the weaving process means that, when the interlocking loops are separated by cutting, the resulting filaments are capital Omega-shaped.

[0027] It will of course be appreciated that features described in relation to one aspect of the application can be incorporated into other aspects of the application. For example, the method of the application can incorporate any of the features described with reference to the product of the application, and vice versa. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] Embodiments of the application will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0029] Figure 1 A rodent-resistant barrier material according to an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0030] Figure 2 A first filament of the rodent-resistant barrier material of Figure 1

[0031] Figure 3 A second filament of the rodent-resistant barrier material of Figure 1

[0032] Figure 4 is a flowchart depicting a method of manufacturing a rodent-resistant barrier material according to one embodiment of the present application; and

[0033] Figure 5 is a schematic of manufacturing a filament in the method of Figure 4 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Reference will now be made to the drawings in which Figures 1 to 3 A rodent-resistant barrier material according to an embodiment of the present application is described.

[0035] Figure 1 A rodent-resistant barrier material 20 is shown, the barrier material 20 including a curable, silicon-based carrier 21. While the carrier 21 is shown as a cylinder, it should be understood that the carrier 21 is a malleable material that can be molded by pressure to fill voids or gaps.

[0036] The rodent-resistant barrier material 20 also includes a plurality of filaments 30, 40 distributed throughout the carrier 21. The filaments 30, 40 are formed from short lengths of wire, and as can be seen, each filament 30, 40 includes a curved portion. The filaments 30, 40 will be described in greater detail below.

[0037] The filaments 30, 40 are distributed throughout the carrier 21. Generally, the filaments 30, 40 are distributed substantially uniformly throughout the carrier 21. However, a first region of the carrier 21, such as region 23, can include a relatively large number of entangled filaments 30, 40. Other regions of the carrier 21, such as region 27, include only a single filament 30, 40. Other regions of the carrier 21, such as region 27, can include only a single filament 30 that is not entangled with any other filaments.

[0038] Figure 3 ​​​A first filament 30 of the rodent-deterrent barrier material 20 is shown. As described above, the filament 30 is formed from a short length of wire. The filament 30 is formed into a U-shape, having a central bend 31 that is semi-circular and thus inflects through an angle of 180°, with straight end portions 33 and 35 connected thereto, the ends of which point in approximately the same direction. The material of the filament 30 is stainless steel, although it will be appreciated that many other suitable materials, both metallic and non-metallic, can be used. The filament 30 is relatively stiff, such that the filament is not easily bent. The width Fl of the filament 30 across its arch is 3mm wide, and the length is 5mm. However, it will be appreciated that various other dimensions of filament can be used.

[0039] Figure 4 A second filament 40 of the rodent-deterrent barrier material 20 is shown. Again, the filament 40 is formed from a short length of wire, the metal of which is stainless steel. Similar to the filament 30, the filament 40 includes a central bend 41 with end portions 43 and 45 connected thereto. However, rather than being formed into a U-shape, the filament 40 is formed into the shape of the capital Greek letter Omega (Ω). The central bend 41 inflects through an angle of approximately 270°, such that the central bend 41 curves inwardly to points 47 and 49, and then the filament 40 curves outwardly again, such that the ends of the end portions 43 and 45 of the filament 40 point in approximately opposite directions, rather than in approximately the same direction as in the filament 30. The dimensions of the filament 40 are similar to the filament 30, being 3mm wide between the end portions 43 and 45, and 4mm in length. Again, it will be appreciated that various other materials and dimensions of filament can be used.

[0040] Reference is now made to Figure 5 Manufacture of a rodent-deterrent barrier material according to an embodiment of the present application, such as the rodent-deterrent barrier material 20 of the above-described embodiment, is described.

[0041] A first step is to provide a woven mesh 60 (step 51). Figure 5 The woven mesh 60 is shown, which includes a length of wire that is formed into interlocking rows of loops, thereby forming a mesh.

[0042] Next, the wire of the woven mesh 60 is cut between the loops of the wire that form the mesh (step 52). This causes the loops to separate from one another, thereby forming the filament 40 in the shape of the capital Greek letter Omega (Ω).

[0043] Next, a curable carrier medium is provided, such as the carrier 21 formed from a silicone polymer (step 53). The filament 40 formed in step 52 is then combined with the carrier, such that the filament 40 is distributed throughout the carrier, thereby producing the rodent-deterrent barrier material.

[0044] It will be appreciated that in embodiments of the application the filaments can be made by additional or alternative methods, for example to form the U-shaped filaments 30 of the above-described embodiments of the application. All of the filaments made are then distributed throughout the carrier to produce the rodent-deterrent barrier material.

[0045] While the application has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous variations can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the application.

[0046] In particular, while the embodiments of the application described above include two different types of filaments 30, 40, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments of the application only one type of filament, or more than two types of filaments, can be used. Figures 1 to 3

[0047] While filaments formed from stainless steel wire are described, in other embodiments of the application filaments of other materials, for example other metals, or other materials such as plastics or Kevlar, can be used.

[0048] While a curable carrier medium of silicone polymer is described, in other embodiments of the application any other suitable carrier material can be used.

[0049] It will be appreciated that in addition to including filaments according to the application, the rodent-deterrent barrier material according to embodiments of the application can also include other filaments, such as straight lengths of metal wire. Ideally, such filaments are few in number and can be unintentionally introduced (for example, from the edges of a mesh from which the filaments are prepared), or can be intentionally introduced.

[0050] In the foregoing description, reference has been made to the overall or individual features that have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents; such equivalents are incorporated in the present disclosure as if separately set forth. The true scope of the present application is defined by the appended claims, which should be construed in accordance with the full breadth permitted by the patent laws. It will further be understood that all business aspects of the application described are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Moreover, it will be understood that while these optional aspects can be beneficial in some embodiments of the application, they can not be desirable in other embodiments, and thus can be absent.​

Claims

1. A rodent-proof barrier material, comprising: Curable carrier medium; as well as Multiple filaments dispersed in the curable carrier medium; Each of the multiple filaments includes a central curved portion, a first end, and a second end; The central curved portion is bent at an angle of at least 180 degrees.

2. The rodent-proof barrier material according to claim 1, wherein, At least some of the filaments have a first end and a second end pointing in approximately the same direction.

3. The rodent-proof barrier material according to claim 2, wherein, At least some of the filaments are U-shaped.

4. The rodent-proof barrier material according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, At least some of the filaments have a first end and a second end pointing in generally opposite directions.

5. The rodent-proof barrier material according to claim 4, wherein, At least some of the filaments are in the shape of an uppercase Omega.

6. The rodent-proof barrier material according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The filament is essentially rigid.

7. The rodent-proof barrier material according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, At least some of the filaments are entangled with each other.

8. The rodent-proof barrier material according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, At least some of the filaments are formed of stainless steel wire.

9. A method for manufacturing a rodent-proof barrier material according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: Provides a mesh formed by interlocking loops of metal wires; Cut the metal wires of the mesh between the interlocking rings to form multiple filaments; Provides a curable carrier medium. The multiple filaments are combined with the curable carrier medium, such that the multiple filaments are distributed throughout the carrier.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The mesh is a woven mesh.

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