Rodent trap

Abstract

Rodent trap comprising a housing (12) having a main chamber (24) with an entrance (25) for rodents (R), the trap further comprising a gas generation system (40) comprising at least a first chemical element (E1), a second chemical element (E2) and an actuating member (46) disposed inside the housing, said gas generation system being configured to bring the first chemical element and the second chemical element into contact when said actuating member is actuated, whereby the second chemical element reacts with the first chemical element to produce a gas (G) diffusing inside the main chamber of the housing. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Rodent trap Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of pest control devices and more specifically rodent traps. The management of rodent populations generally requires the use of treatment products, such as rodenticides, traps or other eradication means in order to prevent rodent invasions. Rodent traps, whether or not aimed at neutralizing rodents, are intended to reduce a rodent population and thus stem an invasion.

[0002] The use of traps also makes it possible to avoid the risk of the rodent taking refuge in an inaccessible place, for example inside a wall, from where it would not be possible to dislodge it and where the decomposition of the body would risk producing nauseating odors that would be difficult to locate and treat. Prior art

[0003] It is known to use rodent traps comprising a sticky coating from which the rodent cannot escape. However, such a trap is particularly cruel for the rodent, which risks enduring significant suffering. It is also known to use rodent traps, which, however, are not very effective and only allow one rodent to be caught at a time. In addition, these traditional traps require user intervention after each capture.

[0004] It is also known to install lethal products such as raticides inside traps to neutralize the rodent more or less quickly. A disadvantage of these products is that they are harmful to humans and domestic animals, so they can cause accidental poisoning. In addition, these products are not natural and are particularly polluting. These traps equipped with raticide products therefore have a high environmental impact. Statement of the invention

[0005] An aim of the present invention is to propose a rodent trap which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a rodent trap comprising a housing comprising a main chamber having an entrance for the rodents, the trap further comprising a gas generation system comprising at least a first chemical element, a second chemical element and an actuating member arranged inside the housing, said gas generation system being configured to contacting the first chemical element and the second chemical element, when said actuating member is actuated, whereby the second chemical element reacts with the first chemical element to produce a gas diffusing inside the main chamber of the housing.

[0007] The rodent trap according to the invention makes it possible to trap all types of rodents, for example rats, mice or field mice.

[0008] The rodent trap according to the invention can be installed in a building or outdoors. It can be placed on the ground or fixed to a wall. In a non-limiting manner, the trap can be placed inside a partition or even in a ceiling, where rodents commonly take refuge.

[0009] The housing forms an enclosure within which the main chamber is formed. The housing may or may not be closed. It advantageously comprises four side walls, a bottom and a cover. Preferably, the main chamber is at least partially closed, in order to limit the escape of the gas produced from said main chamber. Preferably, but in a non-limiting manner, the main chamber is airtight. The main chamber is intended to receive the rodent(s).

[0010] The entrance for rodents is advantageously provided in a wall of the main chamber.

[0011] Preferably, but not limited to, the housing comprises an airlock communicating with the main chamber. Preferably, openings are provided in the walls of the airlock for rodents to enter the airlock. The airlock advantageously communicates with the main chamber via the rodent entrance.

[0012] The housing preferably comprises a storage chamber in which at least said first chemical element is stored.

[0013] The actuating member controls the contacting of the first chemical element and the second chemical element causing their reaction and the production of gas. The gas is brought into the main chamber in contact with the rodent. The actuating member is advantageously configured to be actuated by a rodent within the housing. One advantage is that it only produces gas in the presence of a rodent, thus avoiding excessive and untimely production of gas. The consumption of the first and second chemical elements is reduced, reducing the associated costs.

[0014] The actuating member is advantageously actuated by the rodent entering the main chamber or by the movement of said rodent within the main chamber. The actuating member may be actuated by a rodent pushing or stepping on a button or a rocker. In a non-limiting manner, the actuating member may comprise a detection module configured to detect the presence of a rodent inside the main chamber and to control the actuation of the actuating member in the event of detection. The detection module may be electronic or mechanical. The detection module may include one or more sensors, for example position or motion sensors.

[0015] Actuation of the actuating member causes the production of gas and the diffusion of the gas produced into the main chamber where the rodent(s) are located.

[0016] Alternatively, and without departing from the scope of the invention, the actuating member can be actuated by a user.

[0017] In a non-limiting manner, the first and second chemical elements may initially be in the solid state and configured to react only when they are brought into contact in a liquid medium, preferably in an aqueous medium. In this case, and without departing from the scope of the invention, the first and second chemical elements may initially be in proximity to each other, without reacting. The gas generation system is then configured to bring the first and second chemical elements into contact in order to make them react together, by bringing said first and second chemical elements into contact with a liquid.

[0018] Alternatively, and without departing from the scope of the invention, the first and second chemical elements may be arranged at a distance from each other, in which case the gas generation system is configured to move the first chemical element towards the second chemical element, or to move the second chemical element towards the first chemical element, or to jointly move the first chemical element and the second chemical element towards each other, in order to make them react together.

[0019] In a non-limiting manner, at least one of the first and second chemical elements may be in the liquid state.

[0020] In a non-limiting manner, the gas generation system may be configured to generate an anesthetic gas, a neutralizing gas or a gas that is lethal to rodents, for example an asphyxiating gas above a certain concentration in the air. The gas produced is preferably an odorless gas. The gas produced is preferably non-toxic to humans or domestic animals, for example carbon dioxide. The gas produced is advantageously non-polluting.

[0021] Preferably, the first chemical element and the second chemical element are natural elements, thereby reducing the environmental impact of the trap. The first and second chemical elements are preferably in the solid state or in the liquid state, before reacting with each other.

[0022] The first and second chemical elements are preferably in powder form, before reaction.

[0023] The rodent trap according to the invention is particularly effective for neutralizing an abundant population of rodents or for containing an invasion.

[0024] The trap according to the invention allows the use of first and second elements chemicals that are not toxic to humans and / or pets. Also, the trap eliminates the need to use toxic rat poisons and therefore the risk of accidental poisoning for humans and / or pets.

[0025] The gas advantageously makes it possible to neutralize the rodent instantly. The rodent trap according to the invention is therefore particularly effective and is not cruel to the rodents. The rodents are neutralized without suffering. The gas advantageously makes it possible to asphyxiate the rodents. Preferably, but not limited to, the gas is a gas that is lethal to the rodent. Preferably, the gas is carbon dioxide.

[0026] Preferably, the gas generation system is configured to produce gas until the gas level in the main chamber is greater than 10%.

[0027] The trap according to the invention can also be used several times, to trap several rodents, without the user having to intervene to reload or replace the trap, unlike fly swatters and other single-use traps. The generation of gas advantageously makes it possible to treat several rodents.

[0028] Preferably, the rodent trap is configured to prevent rodents from escaping from the main chamber. One advantage is to prevent the rodent from escaping, thus improving the effectiveness of the trap. Another advantage is to be able to remove the rodent bodies and prevent them from decomposing in an inaccessible place, for example in a partition of a dwelling.

[0029] In a non-limiting manner, baits may be placed in the main chamber to attract rodents.

[0030] Preferably, the gas generation system is configured to bring the first chemical element and the second chemical element into contact, and therefore to produce the gas, within the housing. Alternatively, and without departing from the scope of the invention, the gas generation system may be configured to bring the first chemical element and the second chemical element into contact outside the housing.

[0031] Preferably, the first and second chemical elements are brought into contact outside the main chamber, for example in a reaction chamber separate from the main chamber. The gas produced is consequently guided from its production zone, for example the reaction chamber, to the main chamber where it diffuses, for example via a pipe or through a perforated wall. Alternatively, and without departing from the scope of the invention, the first and second chemical elements can be brought into contact inside the main chamber, in which case the gas is produced directly within the main chamber.

[0032] Advantageously, the gas generation system comprises a reaction tank arranged in the housing, the gas generation system being configured to put into contacting the first chemical element and the second chemical element inside said reaction vessel.

[0033] The reaction vessel is preferably disposed in the main chamber or in a reaction chamber.

[0034] Preferably, the first and second chemical elements are moved into the reaction vessel where the chemical reaction occurs.

[0035] Alternatively, and without departing from the scope of the invention, one of the first and second chemical elements may be placed in said reaction vessel while the other of said first and second chemical elements is moved into the reaction vessel.

[0036] According to another alternative, and in a non-limiting manner, the first and second chemical elements may be initially arranged in the reaction tank, the gas generation system being configured to move a liquid into the reaction tank, in contact with said chemical elements, in order to make them react with each other.

[0037] Preferably, the gas generation system comprises a liquid, for example water, and at least one solid body comprising at least said first chemical element, said solid body or said liquid comprising said second chemical element, the gas generation system being configured to move the solid body in order to bring it into contact with the liquid, when the actuating member is actuated, whereby the first and second chemical elements are brought into contact with each other.

[0038] Actuation of the actuating member causes the distribution of the solid body which is brought into contact with the liquid. The gas generation system therefore behaves like a distributor, the distribution being controlled by the actuating member.

[0039] Advantageously, the gas generation system comprises a plurality of solid bodies. Preferably, the gas generation system is configured so that a single solid body is brought into contact with the liquid each time the actuating member is actuation.

[0040] Advantageously, a single solid body makes it possible to generate a sufficient quantity of gas for the treatment of a plurality of rodents.

[0041] Said solid bodies constitute as many refills for the generation of gas, which are distributed in the event of the entry of new rodents into the main chamber.

[0042] According to a preferred embodiment, the solid body comprises said first and second chemical elements.

[0043] According to a variant, and without departing from the scope of the invention, the solid body comprises the first chemical element while said liquid comprises the second chemical element. According to this variant, the first chemical element is brought into contact with the second chemical element by displacement of the solid body until contact with the liquid.

[0044] Preferably, the solid body comprises only natural, non-toxic and non-polluting products, reducing the environmental impact of the trap.

[0045] Preferably, the solid body comprises only chemical products and elements that are non-toxic to humans, so that it can be handled safely.

[0046] Preferably, the liquid comprises water, more preferably consists of water, further reducing the environmental impact of the trap.

[0047] Actuation of the actuating member causes the solid body to move, for example by sliding or rolling.

[0048] Preferably, said liquid is placed in the reaction tank. It is understood that the solid body is brought into said reaction tank where it is brought into contact with the liquid.

[0049] Advantageously, the solid body comprises the first chemical element in the solid state and the second chemical element in the solid state. In other words, the first and second chemical elements are assembled within the solid body. According to this variant, the first and second chemical elements are chosen so that they only react in a liquid medium, preferably aqueous. Also, said first and second chemical elements do not react with each other until the solid body is brought into contact with the liquid. When the solid body is brought into contact with the liquid, the first and second chemical elements are brought into contact with each other in the liquid medium and react with each other. The reaction is effervescent and produces the gas.

[0050] The first and second chemical elements are preferably in powder form and are bound within the solid body.

[0051] Preferably, the solid body further comprises a binder configured to bind the first chemical element and the second chemical element within the solid body. An advantage is to give a chosen shape to the solid body and to allow it to be easily handled. Preferably, the binder is configured to dissolve upon contact with a liquid.

[0052] Preferably, the binder comprises glucose syrup, more preferably consists of glucose syrup. An advantage is to effectively bind the first and second chemical elements while reducing the ecological impact of the gas generation system, the glucose syrup being non-toxic and non-polluting.

[0053] In a non-limiting manner, the solid body may further comprise one or more odorous substances, for example essential oils, attractive to rodents.

[0054] Preferably, said solid body has the shape of a ball. One advantage is to increase the compactness of the solid body. In addition, this shape makes it possible to move easily bring the solid body into contact with the liquid by rolling it.

[0055] Preferably, the housing comprises an inclined surface opening into the reaction chamber and on which said at least one solid body is arranged. The solid body can then roll until it enters the reaction chamber. Preferably, said inclined surface opens above said reaction tank.

[0056] Preferably, the storage chamber comprises such an inclined surface.

[0057] Advantageously, the housing comprises a reaction chamber fluidly communicating with the main chamber, the gas generation system being configured to bring the first chemical element and the second chemical element into contact within said reaction chamber. In other words, the reaction chamber is separate from the main chamber.

[0058] In a non-limiting manner, the reaction chamber may be adjacent to or distant from the main chamber.

[0059] Preferably, the reaction chamber is inaccessible to a rodent from the main chamber. One advantage is to prevent the rodent from polluting the reaction chamber and compromising the reaction of the first and second chemical elements.

[0060] Advantageously, the reaction chamber is adjacent to the main chamber, the main chamber and the reaction chamber being separated by a perforated wall. It is understood that the gas produced in the reaction chamber diffuses into the reaction chamber and then enters the main chamber through the perforated wall.

[0061] The perforated wall further prevents the passage of rodents from the main chamber to the reaction chamber. The perforated wall preferably comprises small orifices, preventing the passage of a rodent.

[0062] Advantageously, the housing comprises a storage chamber opening into the reaction chamber and configured to receive said at least one solid body, and the gas generation system comprises a blocking member capable of taking a blocking position in which it prevents the passage of said at least one solid body from the storage chamber to the reaction chamber, and a release position in which it allows the passage of said at least one solid body from the storage chamber to the reaction chamber, said blocking member being brought into the release position when the actuating member is actuated.

[0063] The storage chamber is configured to receive said at least one solid body for storage. Said storage chamber forms a magazine that can be loaded with solid bodies.

[0064] When the actuating member is not actuated, the blocking member is held in the blocking position and prevents the passage of said at least one solid body from the storage chamber to the reaction chamber.

[0065] When the actuating member is actuated, the locking member is brought into the release position so that at least one solid body is brought from the storage chamber into the reaction chamber.

[0066] Preferably, the storage chamber opens into the reaction chamber. Preferably, the storage chamber extends in the upper part of the housing, above the reaction chamber. Also, said at least one solid body falls into said reaction chamber when said locking member is brought into the release position.

[0067] The housing preferably has a passage formed between the storage chamber and the reaction chamber, said blocking member closing said passage when it is in the blocking position.

[0068] The locking member preferably has the form of a door or a hatch positioned between the storage chamber and the main chamber.

[0069] In a non-limiting manner, the locking member may be sliding or pivoting between the locking position and the release position.

[0070] The storage chamber advantageously comprises an inclined surface configured to receive said at least one solid body. In other words, said at least one solid body is arranged on said inclined surface. Said inclined surface is advantageously inclined towards the reaction chamber. Also, when the locking member is brought into the release position, the solid body moves towards the reaction chamber, taking into account the inclination of the inclined surface, by rolling or by sliding.

[0071] In the case where the solid body has the shape of a ball, the latter rolls on the inclined surface until it reaches the reaction chamber.

[0072] Preferably, the actuating member is configured to be actuated by the entry of a rodent into the main chamber. One advantage is to only activate the production of gas in the event of a rodent passing through, thus reducing the consumption of chemical elements.

[0073] Preferably, the actuating member comprises a pivoting valve positioned at the entrance to the main chamber, the actuating member being actuated when said pivoting valve is pushed by the rodent entering the main chamber. One advantage is to ensure that the actuating member is actuated as soon as the rodent enters the main chamber, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the trap. In particular, it is not necessary for the rodent to position itself on a specific button or platform, reducing the risk that the trap will not be triggered.

[0074] Said pivoting valve is advantageously mounted pivotably relative to a wall of the housing. Said pivoting valve is advantageously arranged in the main chamber.

[0075] The pivoting valve preferably pivots around a substantially horizontal axis. Without departing from the scope of the invention, said pivoting valve can be pivoted around a substantially vertical axis.

[0076] Preferably, the pivoting valve can take a rest position in which it closes said inlet. Preferably, said pivoting valve is configured to return to the rest position when it is not pushed by a rodent. Preferably, the pivoting valve is a non-return valve. In other words, the pivoting valve is configured to allow the entry of a rodent into the main chamber and to prevent the exit of a rodent from the main chamber. The pivoting valve advantageously abuts against a stop element when it is in the rest position, so that it cannot be pushed by a rodent from inside the main chamber.

[0077] Preferably, said blocking member is pivotable between the blocking position and the release position, the blocking member being rotationally connected to said pivoting valve, whereby the pivoting of the pivoting valve pushed by the rodent causes the blocking member to pivot from the blocking position to the release position. One advantage is to release and dispense a solid body as soon as a rodent enters the main chamber. Furthermore, when the pivoting valve returns to the rest position, for example in the absence of a rodent, the blocking member returns to the blocking position, interrupting the dispensing of solid bodies.

[0078] Advantageously, the housing comprises at least one vertical wall, in which the gas generation system comprises an actuating shaft mounted to pivot relative to said vertical wall along a pivot axis transverse to said vertical wall, and in which said pivoting valve and said locking member are integral with said actuating shaft.

[0079] Said locking member and said pivoting valve are pivotable about said pivot axis. The actuating shaft preferably extends substantially horizontally, so that said locking member and said pivoting valve are pivotable about said horizontal pivot axis.

[0080] Preferably, the gas generation system is configured such that the reaction of the first chemical element with the second chemical element produces carbon dioxide. Such a gas has the advantage of being odorless, low-polluting and low-harm to humans.

[0081] Advantageously, one of the first and second chemical elements is a base while the other chemical element is an acid.

[0082] In other words, when the first chemical element is a base, the second chemical element is an acid and when the first chemical element is an acid, the second chemical element is a base.

[0083] The reaction of the first and second chemical elements is an acid-base reaction.

[0084] Advantageously, one of the first and second chemical elements is bi sodium carbonate while the other of said first and second chemical elements is citric acid. These chemical elements are low-polluting and low-harm. They essentially comprise natural compounds. Sodium bicarbonate and citric acid are advantageously in powder form. The reaction of sodium bicarbonate with citric acid only occurs upon contact with a liquid, for example in an aqueous medium. The reaction of sodium bicarbonate and citric acid produces carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is not harmful or toxic to humans in the proportions generated by the trap according to the invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0085] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0086] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of a rodent trap according to the invention;

[0087] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a top view of the rodent trap of [Fig.l];

[0088] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a front view of the rodent trap of [Fig.l];

[0089] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a side view of the rodent trap of [Fig.l];

[0090] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] shows the trap of [Fig.l], the actuating member being operated; and

[0091] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] shows the contacting of the first and second chemical elements within the trap of [Fig.l]. Description of the embodiments

[0092] The invention relates to a rodent trap comprising a gas generation system.

[0093] Figures 1 to 6 illustrate one embodiment of a rodent trap 10 according to the invention. The rodent trap 10 comprises a housing 12 forming an enclosure. The housing 12 comprises first 14, second 16, third 18 and fourth 20 side walls. In [Fig.l], the first side wall 14 is partially removed for greater visibility. The housing 10 further comprises a bottom 22 and a cover (not visible).

[0094] As can be seen in the top view of [Fig.2], the housing 12 further comprises a main chamber 24, a reaction chamber 26, a storage chamber 28 and an airlock 30.

[0095] The main chamber 24 is separated from the airlock 30 by an interior partition 32.

[0096] The interior partition 32 also separates the reaction chamber 26 and the airlock 30. The interior partition 32 extends substantially parallel to the first and third side walls 14, 18.

[0097] The main chamber 24 and the reaction chamber 26 are separated by an openwork wall 34. The openwork wall 34 extends substantially parallel to the second and fourth side walls 16, 20 and transversely to the first and third side walls 14, 18 as well as to the interior partition 32. Several slots 36, particularly visible in the side view of [Fig. 4], are provided in said openwork wall 34. They pass through the openwork wall 34.

[0098] The main chamber 24 extends over substantially the entire height of the housing 12. It comprises an inlet 25 formed in the interior partition 32. Said inlet 25 has the shape of a circular opening formed in said interior partition 32. This inlet 25 is particularly visible in [Fig. 4] and by transparency in the front views of Figures 3 and 5. Said inlet opens into the airlock 30, so that the airlock 30 communicates with the main chamber 24 via the inlet 25. The airlock is arranged between the third side wall 18 and the interior partition 32. Circular openings 38 are formed in the second, third and fourth side walls 16, 18, 20 and open into the airlock 30.

[0099] The reaction chamber 26 extends over the entire height of the housing.

[0100] The storage chamber 28 is arranged in the upper part of the housing and is located above the airlock 30. It extends between the second side wall 16, the third side wall 18, the fourth side wall 20 and the interior partition 32. The storage chamber 28 is separated from the main chamber by the interior partition 32. The storage chamber 28 communicates with the reaction chamber 26 and opens into said reaction chamber 26. The storage chamber comprises an inclined surface 29 opening into the reaction chamber 26. Said inclined surface 29 is inclined towards the reaction chamber. A passage 39 is formed between the storage chamber 28 and the reaction chamber 26.

[0101] According to the invention, the rodent trap 10 comprises a gas generation system 40. In this non-limiting example, the gas generation system 40 comprises a plurality of solid bodies 42a, 42b, 42c in the form of balls.

[0102] The gas generation system 40 further comprises a first chemical element Ei and a second chemical element E2. In this non-limiting example, each of the solid bodies 42a, 42b, 42c comprises a given quantity of first chemical element Ei, in the solid state, in powder form, and a given quantity of second chemical element E2 in the solid state, in powder form. In this non-limiting example, the first chemical element Ei is an acid, more precisely citric acid, while the second chemical element E2 is a base, more precisely sodium bicarbonate.

[0103] Each of the solid bodies 42a, 42b, 42c comprises a binder L binding the first and second chemical elements Ei, E2. Each of the solid bodies further comprises a odorous substance, for example an essential oil, attractive to rodents.

[0104] In other words, in this non-limiting example, each of the solid bodies 42a, 42b, 42c is made up of citric acid forming a first chemical element Ei, sodium bicarbonate forming a second chemical element E2, a binder B and an odorous substance.

[0105] When they are assembled within solid bodies and are not brought into contact with a liquid, for example water, the first and second chemical elements Ei, E2 do not react with each other.

[0106] The gas generation system 40 further comprises a reaction tank 44 arranged in the reaction chamber 26 and resting on the bottom 22 of the housing. The reaction tank 44 contains a liquid L, here water L.

[0107] The gas generation system 40 further comprises an actuating member 46. In this non-limiting example, the actuating member 46 comprises a pivoting valve 48 disposed in the main chamber 24, at the inlet 25 of the main chamber 24. The pivoting valve 48 is configured to close said inlet 25, as can be seen in [Fig. 3] where said inlet 25 is shown by transparency. The gas generation system 40 further comprises a pivot shaft 50 pivotally mounted relative to the second and fourth side walls 16, 20 of the housing 12, around a pivot axis X. The pivot shaft 50, and therefore the pivot axis X, extend substantially horizontally. The pivoting valve 48 is secured to a pivot shaft 50.

[0108] The pivoting valve 48 can be pushed from outside the main chamber 24 and therefore from the airlock 30, towards the inside of the main chamber 24, so that it pivots and lifts. On the other hand, the pivoting valve 48 abuts against the interior partition 32, so that it cannot be pushed from inside the main chamber 24. The pivoting valve 48 is a non-return valve. The actuating member 46 is configured to be actuated when said pivoting valve 48 is pushed, for example by a rodent entering the main chamber.

[0109] Furthermore, the gas generation system 40 comprises a locking member 52 having the shape of a door. The locking member 52 is arranged in the reaction chamber 26 at the passage 39 between the storage chamber 28 and the reaction chamber 26. The locking member 52 can take a locking position and a release position which will be described later. The locking member 52 is integral with the pivot shaft 50, so that it is pivotally mounted relative to the housing 12 along said pivot axis X.

[0110] As can be seen in the front view of [Fig.3], the pivoting valve 48 and the locking member 52 extend on either side of the perforated wall 34. The pivoting shaft 50 extends partly into the reaction chamber 26 and partly into the main chamber 24. The locking member 52 and the pivoting valve are rotationally connected by means of the pivot shaft 50.

[0111] The operation of the rodent trap 10 according to the invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

[0112] Initially, solid bodies 42a, 42b, 42c are arranged in the storage chamber 28. These solid bodies 42a, 42b, 42c rest on the inclined surface 29 and tend to roll towards the reaction chamber. No rodent enters the main chamber 24 so that the pivoting valve 48 is closed and extends substantially vertically so as to close the inlet 25 of said main chamber. The actuating member 46 is not actuated. Consequently, the blocking member 52 is maintained in a blocking position, illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, in which it extends substantially vertically. In this blocking position, the blocking member 52 closes the passage 39 between the storage chamber and the reaction chamber 26, preventing the passage of a solid body 42a, 42b, 42c into said reaction chamber 26. No gas is produced.

[0113] As illustrated in [Fig.5], when a rodent R, for example a rat attracted by bait placed in the main chamber, enters the latter, it pushes the pivoting valve 48 towards the inside of the main chamber 24. The pivoting valve 48 pivots around the pivot axis X and is lifted and brought into the open position, allowing the rodent R to enter the main chamber 24 via the entrance 25. The rodent then moves in particular on a platform 27.

[0114] The pivoting of the pivoting valve 48 pushed by the rodent R constitutes an actuation of the actuating member 46. The pivoting of the pivoting valve, and therefore the actuation of the actuating member 46, causes a pivoting of the pivoting shaft 50 and of the locking member 52 around said pivoting axis X.

[0115] The blocking member 52 is brought into a release position, illustrated in [Fig.5], in which it no longer blocks the passage 39 between the storage chamber 28 and the reaction chamber 26. In this release position, the blocking member 52 allows the passage of the solid bodies 42a, 42b, 42c towards the reaction chamber 26. Taking into account gravity, the first solid body 42a rolls on the inclined surface 29 and enters the reaction chamber 26 via the passage 39 as can be seen in [Fig.5].

[0116] The first solid body 42a then falls into the reaction tank 44 and is brought into contact with the liquid L, as illustrated in [Fig.6]. Upon contact with the liquid, the binder B dissolves and the first and second chemical elements Ei,E2 are brought into contact with each other, in a liquid medium, so that they react with each other. An effervescent acid-base reaction occurs in the liquid. In this non-limiting example, the first chemical element Ei consisting of citric acid, reacts with the second chemical element E2 consisting of sodium bicarbonate, to produce a gas G, here carbon dioxide.

[0117] As can be seen in [Fig.6], the gas G produced then diffuses into the reaction chamber 26, as well as into the main chamber 24 through the slots 36 made in the perforated wall 34. The gas G fills the main chamber causing the instantaneous and painless neutralization of the rodent R, for example by asphyxiation. The gas can be lethal for the rodent.

[0118] Given gravity, after the rodent R has entered the main chamber 24 and no longer pushes the pivoting valve 48, said pivoting valve 48 pivots in an opposite direction and returns to the initial rest position, in which it closes the inlet 25. The actuating member 46 is then no longer actuated. Said pivoting valve then prevents the rodent R from leaving the main chamber 24, where it becomes trapped. Given gravity, the blocking member 52 also returns to the blocking position, as seen in [Fig. 6]. The blocking member 52 prevents the passage of another solid body 42b, 42c into the reaction chamber 26.

[0119] Gas G is produced until the solid body 42a dissolves in the liquid L. The entry of another rodent into the main chamber results in the release of another solid body into the reaction chamber and a new production of gas G.

Claims

Claims

1. A rodent trap (10) comprising a housing (12) comprising a main chamber (24) having an inlet (25) for rodents (R), the trap further comprising a gas generation system (40) comprising a liquid (L), for example water, and at least one solid body (42a, 42b, 42c) comprising a first chemical element (Ei) in the solid state, a second chemical element (E2) in the solid state and a binder (B) configured to bind the first chemical element (Ei) and the second chemical element (E2) within the solid body (42a, 42b, 42c), the gas generation system further comprising an actuating member (46) disposed inside the housing, said gas generation system being configured to move the solid body into contact with the liquid, when the actuating member (46) is actuated, whereby the first chemical element and the second chemical element are brought into contact with each other,so that the second chemical element reacts with the first chemical element to produce a gas (G) diffusing inside the main chamber of the housing.,

2. A trap according to claim 1, wherein said solid body (42a,42b,42c) has the shape of a ball.

3. Trap according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing (12) comprises a reaction chamber (26) fluidly communicating with the main chamber (24), the gas generation system (40) being configured to bring the first chemical element (Ei) and the second chemical element (E2) into contact within said reaction chamber.

4. Trap according to claim 3, in which the reaction chamber is adjacent to the main chamber (24), the main chamber and the reaction chamber (26) being separated by an openwork wall (34).

5. Trap according to any one of claims 3 or 4, in which the housing (12) comprises a storage chamber (28) opening into the reaction chamber (26) and configured to receive said at least one solid body (42a, 42b, 42c), and in which the gas generation system (40) comprises a blocking member (52) capable of taking a blocking position in which it prevents the passage of said at least one solid body from the storage chamber to the reaction chamber, and a release position in which it allows the passage of said at least one solid body from the storage chamber towards the reaction chamber, said locking member being brought into the release position when the actuating member (46) is actuated.

6. A trap according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the actuating member (46) is configured to be actuated by the entry of a rodent (R) into the main chamber (24).

7. A trap according to claim 6, wherein the actuating member (46) comprises a pivoting valve (48) positioned at the entrance (25) of the main chamber (24), the actuating member (46) being actuated when said pivoting valve is pushed by the rodent (R) entering the main chamber.

8. A trap according to claims 5 and 7, wherein said locking member (52) is pivotable between the locking position and the release position, the locking member being rotatably connected to said pivoting flap (48), whereby pivoting of the pivoting flap pushed by the rodent (R) causes the locking member to pivot from the locking position to the release position.

9. Trap according to claim 8, in which the housing (12) comprises at least one vertical wall (16, 20) in which the gas generation system (40) comprises an actuating shaft (50) pivotally mounted relative to said vertical wall along a pivot axis (X) transverse to said vertical wall, and in which said pivoting valve (48) and said locking member (52) are integral with said actuating shaft.

10. A trap according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the gas generating system (40) is configured such that the reaction of the first chemical element (EJ) with the second chemical element (E2) produces carbon dioxide.

11. A trap according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein one of the first and second chemical elements (EbE2) is a base while the other chemical element is an acid.

12. A trap according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein one of the first and second chemical elements (EbE2) is sodium bicarbonate while the other of said first and second chemical elements is citric acid.

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