Composite materials and methods for controlling rodent infestations

Abstract

A composite material for sealing openings, gaps, or holes in walls and other barriers is provided. The composite material is particularly useful as a seal to plug such holes and prevent rodent intrusion through the holes. The composite material includes a wire mesh layer, an adhesive, and an outer protective layer. The wire mesh layer is resistant to rodent chewing to prevent rodents from biting through the material. The protective layer provides an aesthetic outer layer that covers the tacky adhesive layer and provides a surface for handling the tape. The adhesive serves both to bond the protective layer to the wire mesh and to provide an opposing sticky surface for adhering the composite material to a target area on a wall, partition, door, roof, or other barrier.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 394,525, filed August 2, 2022, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to composite materials and methods for sealing holes, gaps, cracks, or openings in walls, partitions, doors, roofs, and other barriers, and more particularly to pest control devices and methods for preventing the entry of pests, such as rodents, through such barriers. [Background technology]

[0003] Controlling rodents and other pests is an ongoing challenge for many homes and businesses, particularly commercial entities involved in the food industry, etc. This challenge is particularly pronounced when rodents, insects, and other pests live or move in hard-to-reach locations, making trap placement, retrieval, and inspection difficult.

[0004] Rodents generally freely enter and exit buildings through gaps, cracks, or holes in the walls or foundations. For example, holes in walls are an easy and common entrance for rats to enter buildings. As buildings become older and more established, even the smallest holes created thereby can be sufficient for rats to enter the building.

[0005] Once these rodents gain access to a building, they can be very difficult to eliminate with traps. Certain rodents, such as mice, are acutely aware of changes in their environment and will avoid new objects, such as traps. Poisons can be more effective, but have drawbacks, such as safety concerns for children and other small animals, such as pets.

[0006] Therefore, a more effective way to control rats is to prevent them from entering a building in the first place. However, this can be difficult, as rats are known for their ability to bite through most barriers. The muscles that control their jaws are very powerful. These pests will generally chew on anything that is not harder than their teeth, which includes wood, brick, cinderblock, and softer forms of concrete and metal. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The following presents a simplified summary of the claimed subject matter in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the claimed subject matter. This summary is not an extensive overview of the claimed subject matter. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the claimed subject matter or to delineate the scope of the claimed subject matter. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the claimed subject matter in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed disclosure that is presented later.

[0008] In one aspect, a composite material or tape for sealing an opening is provided, the composite material including a wire mesh layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, an adhesive extending from the first surface to the second surface of the wire mesh layer, and a protective layer bonded to the adhesive at the second surface.

[0009] The composite material or tape is particularly useful for preventing rodents from entering through holes or gaps in walls or other barriers. The wire mesh layer is preferably made of a rodent-resistant material to discourage rodents from biting through the material. The protective layer provides an aesthetic outer layer that covers the tacky adhesive layer and provides a surface for handling the tape. The adhesive serves both to bond the protective layer to the wire mesh and to provide an opposing adhesive surface for adhering the composite material to a target area of a wall, partition, door, roof, or other barrier.

[0010] In embodiments, the composite material may further include a release layer or liner removably coupled to the adhesive layer to cover and protect the adhesive layer until a user is ready to apply the material, at which point the release liner is peeled away to expose the tacky adhesive layer, ready for application to a target area on a wall or other barrier.

[0011] The wire mesh layer can comprise a metal fabricated into an interlocking loop structure and strong enough to withstand rodent bite-through. Suitable materials for the wire mesh layer include copper and all alloys, stainless steel and all alloys, all types of steel, carbon steel, coated steel, superalloys, iron, titanium, galvanized steel, tungsten, zinc, nickel, aluminum and all alloys, or any combination of the above. In one embodiment, the wire mesh layer comprises stainless steel or a steel alloy.

[0012] In certain embodiments, the wire mesh layer is formed from a cylindrical wire mesh, such as a braided sleeve, that is cut along its longitudinal axis and then flattened to form a planar wire mesh layer, which has the advantage that the planar mesh layer has sharp edges only along the cut edges.

[0013] In embodiments, the adhesive layer comprises a hot melt adhesive. Suitable hot melt adhesives include ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), ethylene acrylate copolymer, polyolefin (PO), polybutylene, amorphous polyolefin, polyamide, polyester, polyurethane, styrene block copolymer (SBC), polycaprolactone, polycarbonate, fluoropolymer, silicone rubber, polypyrrole (PPY), and the like.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the adhesive layer comprises a thermoplastic rubber such as styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) and / or styrene-isoprene (SIS), which may further comprise an antioxidant and / or a resin tackifying rosin, where the tackifying ester / rosin may be C5-C9 aliphatic and / or aromatic.

[0015] The protective layer may comprise any suitable material that bonds to and covers the wire mesh and prevents the adhesive from being exposed to the second surface of the wire mesh, including cotton, silicone, cellulose triacetate, cellulose and cellulose polymers, and other woven and nonwoven fabrics.

[0016] In certain embodiments, the outer protective layer comprises a polymeric material. Suitable polymers include acrylics such as polyacrylic acid (PAA) or poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polyethylenes such as ultra-high density, high density (HDPE), medium density, or low density polyethylene (LDPE), all types of PP and all other olefins, polyamides such as nylon, polylactic acid, polycarbonate, polyethersulfone, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherimide, polyethylene, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and all other vinyl derivatives, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon), polyethylene terephthalate (polyester), polyamides, polystyrene, and the like.

[0017] In one embodiment, the protective layer comprises low-density polyethylene (LDPE). In an exemplary embodiment, the protective layer comprises an LDPE film having a thickness of about 25 μm to about 150 μm, preferably between about 50 μm and about 100 μm, and more preferably about 75 μm (measured at a foot pressure of 50 Kpa).

[0018] In another aspect, a method of making a composite or tape for sealing an opening includes forming a planar wire mesh layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, dispensing an adhesive into the planar wire mesh layer from the first surface to the second surface, and bonding an outer protective layer to the adhesive at the second surface of the planar wire mesh.

[0019] In embodiments, the planar wire mesh is formed from a cylindrical wire mesh or sleeve that is cut along its transverse axis and flattened to form the planar wire mesh.

[0020] The composite material may be formed by a variety of methods, including gluing, chemical welding, heat welding, pressure welding, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, the wire mesh layer is provided between the protective layer and the adhesive layer and bonded by heat compression, using temperatures and pressures suitable to drive the adhesive into the wire mesh and bond the protective layer to the adhesive.

[0021] In embodiments, a release layer or liner is removably coupled to the adhesive on the side of the wire mesh opposite the protective layer. The release layer may be joined simultaneously with the other layers by heat compression or other methods known to those skilled in the art.

[0022] The desired objects enumerated herein to be achieved by various embodiments of the present disclosure do not imply or suggest that any or all of these objects, individually or collectively, are present as essential features in either the most general embodiment of the present disclosure or its more specific embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] (Detailed explanation) This disclosure and the accompanying drawings depict exemplary embodiments and should not be construed as limiting, and the claims define the scope of the disclosure, including equivalents. Various mechanical, compositional, structural, and operational changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure and the claims, including equivalents. In some cases, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown or described in detail so as not to obscure the disclosure. The same numbers in two or more figures represent the same or similar elements. Furthermore, elements and related aspects described in detail with reference to an embodiment may, where practical, be included in other embodiments in which they are not specifically shown or described. For example, even if an element is described in detail with reference to one embodiment but not with reference to a second embodiment, the element may still be claimed to be included in the second embodiment. Furthermore, the depictions herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the actual shape, size, or dimensions of the system or the described elements.

[0024] It is noted that as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the," and the use of any word in the singular, include plural referents unless the use is clearly and unambiguously limited to one referent. As used herein, the term "comprises" and its grammatical variations are intended to be non-limiting, and the recitation of items in a list does not exclude other similar items that may be substituted for or in addition to the listed items.

[0025] Unless otherwise stated, any quantitative value is approximate, regardless of whether it is indicated by words such as "about" or "approximately." The materials, methods, and examples described herein are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting.

[0026] A composite material or tape is provided for sealing openings, gaps, or holes in walls or other barriers, and the composite material is particularly useful for providing a durable, sturdy seal to prevent rodents from entering through such holes.

[0027] The composite generally includes a wire mesh layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, an adhesive extending from the first surface to the second surface of the wire mesh layer, and a protective layer coupled to the adhesive at the second surface.

[0028] The wire mesh layer is preferably constructed of a rodent-bite resistant material to prevent rodents from biting through the material. The wire mesh may be manufactured from a variety of materials, such as metal, plastic, fiber, multifilament, etc., and is fabricated into an interlocking loop structure. In certain embodiments, the wire mesh layer has a strength of 0.01 N / mm 2 and preferably harder than rodent teeth. Suitable metals for the mesh include copper and all alloys, stainless steel and all alloys, all types of steel, carbon steel, coated steel, superalloys, iron, titanium, galvanized steel, tungsten, zinc, nickel, aluminum and all alloys, nickel, or any combination thereof.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the wire mesh comprises stainless steel or a stainless steel alloy. The wire mesh may have a width of about 50 mm to about 150 mm, preferably about 75 mm to about 125 mm, and a thickness of about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm, preferably about 0.4 mm to about 0.6 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the wire mesh has a width of about 95 mm and a thickness of about 0.453 mm.

[0030] The wire mesh may comprise from about 0.5 stitches / cm to about 15 stitches / cm, preferably from about 5 stitches / cm to about 10 stitches / cm, more preferably about 5 stitches / cm, and may be considered fine, medium-fine, standard, coarse, or extra-coarse. The wire mesh may be formed from crimping, calendaring, folding, laminating, and rolling processes.

[0031] In certain embodiments, the wire mesh can be preformed into a substantially cylindrical shape, such as a sock or sleeve. A suitable metal sock is described in EP Patent No. 3231404 to Knitmesh Limited, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The cylindrical wire mesh can be cut along its transverse axis to form a substantially planar shape. This results in a mesh layer without any sharp edges other than the cut edges.

[0032] The adhesive serves to bond the protective layer to the wire mesh and provide an opposing sticky surface for adhering the composite material to a target area on a wall, partition, door, roof, or other barrier. The adhesive layer may comprise any suitable adhesive. In certain embodiments, the adhesive layer may comprise a form of hot melt adhesive or a thermoplastic adhesive, and may include a base layer comprising ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), ethylene acrylate copolymer, polyolefin (PO), polybutylene, amorphous polyolefin, polyamide, polyester, polyurethane, styrene block copolymer (SBC), polycaprolactone, polycarbonate, fluoropolymer, silicone rubber, polypyrrole (PPY), or the like.

[0033] The thermoplastic adhesive may include one or more additives such as tackifiers, waxes, plasticizers, antioxidants, UV stabilizers, pigments, dyes, glitter, biocides, flame retardants, antistatic agents, fillers, and the like.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive layer comprises a thermoplastic rubber, such as styrene-butadiene-styrene (TP-SBS) and / or styrene-isoprene (TP-SIS) thermoplastic rubber. The thermoplastic rubber may further comprise an antioxidant and / or a resin tackifying rosin, and the tackifying ester / rosin may be a C5 to C9 aliphatic and / or aromatic.

[0035] The protective layer provides an aesthetic outer layer that covers the tacky adhesive layer and provides a surface for handling the tape. The outer protective layer can comprise any suitable material, such as cotton, silicone, a polymer, or a metal sheet, that bonds to and covers the wire mesh and prevents the adhesive from being exposed to the second surface of the wire mesh. In certain embodiments, the outer protective layer comprises a polymeric material.

[0036] The polymer layer can include any suitable polymer that can bond with the wire mesh layer. In certain embodiments, the polymer layer includes a thermoplastic material that becomes flexible or moldable at a certain elevated temperature and solidifies upon cooling. Suitable thermoplastic materials include acrylics, such as polyacrylic acid (PAA) or poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), all types of PP and all other olefins, polyamides such as nylon, polylactic acid, polycarbonate, polyethersulfone, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherimide, polyethylene, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and all other vinyl derivatives, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon), polyethylene terephthalate (polyester), and the like.

[0037] In other embodiments, the protective layer may include other materials such as cellulose triacetate, cellulose and cellulose polymers, cotton, and other woven and nonwoven fabrics.

[0038] In one embodiment, the protective layer comprises polyethylene, such as ultra-high density, high density, medium density, or low density polyethylene (LDPE). In an exemplary embodiment, the protective layer comprises an LDPE film having a thickness of about 25 μm to about 150 μm, preferably about 50 μm to about 100 μm, and more preferably about 75 μm.

[0039] Also provided are methods for manufacturing the composites described herein. In one such method, the planar wire mesh is first manufactured from the cylindrical mesh sleeve described above. The protective outer layer is placed on one surface of the wire mesh, and the adhesive is placed on the opposite surface of the wire mesh. The three layers are compressed together with a suitable pressure to bond the adhesive across the entire wire mesh (i.e., from the first surface to the second surface) and to bond the protective outer layer to the wire mesh via the adhesive. In a specific embodiment, the pressure is about 50 psi.

[0040] Once the three layers are properly bonded together, a release liner or layer can be applied to the adhesive layer (opposite the protective layer). The release liner can be used to aid in handling the composite and to protect the tacky adhesive layer from the surrounding environment. To apply the composite, the release liner is removed and the adhesive surface is applied to the target area so that the wire mesh layer completely covers the hole or gap in the barrier and the outer protective layer faces the user. This provides a relatively quick and easy method of applying the composite to a hole in a wall or other barrier. The hot melt adhesive quickly adheres to the wall or other barrier, providing a durable, sturdy seal across the hole and preventing rodent intrusion through the hole.

[0041] While the devices, systems, and methods have been described in detail in this disclosure according to certain preferred embodiments thereof, many modifications and variations will occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above disclosure should not be construed as limited thereby, but should be interpreted to include the obvious variations described above, and should be limited only by the spirit and scope of the following claims.

[0042] For example, in a first aspect, a first embodiment is a composite material including a wire mesh layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, an adhesive extending from the first surface to the second surface of the wire mesh layer, and a protective layer bonded to the adhesive at the second surface.

[0043] The second embodiment is the first embodiment, wherein the adhesive layer is configured to bond a first surface of the wire mesh layer to another surface.

[0044] A third embodiment is any combination of the first two embodiments, further comprising a release layer removably coupled to the adhesive layer.

[0045] A fourth embodiment is a combination of any of the first three embodiments, wherein the wire mesh layer comprises metal.

[0046] A fifth embodiment is a combination of any of the first four embodiments, wherein the wire mesh layer is formed from a cylindrical wire mesh.

[0047] A sixth embodiment is a combination of any of the first five embodiments, including a sleeve woven from the cylindrical wire mesh described above.

[0048] A seventh embodiment is any combination of the first six embodiments, wherein the cylindrical wire mesh is cut along its transverse axis to form planar wire mesh layers.

[0049] An eighth embodiment is a combination of any of the first seven embodiments, wherein the adhesive layer comprises a hot melt adhesive.

[0050] A ninth embodiment is a combination of any of the first eight embodiments, wherein the hot melt adhesive comprises a thermoplastic rubber.

[0051] A tenth embodiment is a combination of any of the first nine embodiments, wherein the hot melt adhesive comprises an additive.

[0052] An eleventh embodiment is a combination of any of the first ten embodiments, wherein the additive comprises an antioxidant or a tackifying resin.

[0053] A twelfth embodiment is a combination of any of the first eleven embodiments, wherein the polymer layer comprises a thermoplastic material.

[0054] A thirteenth embodiment is a combination of any of the first twelve embodiments, wherein the polymer layer comprises low density polyethylene (LDPE).

[0055] In a second aspect, there is provided a composite material for use in sealing an opening, comprising any combination of the first thirteen embodiments.

[0056] In a third aspect, there is provided a tape comprising any combination of the first thirteen embodiments.

[0057] In a fourth aspect, a first embodiment is a tape for inhibiting rodent intrusion through an opening, the tape comprising a wire mesh layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, an adhesive layer bonded to the first surface, and an outer protective layer bonded to the second surface.

[0058] The second embodiment is the first embodiment, in which the wire mesh layer is formed from a cylindrical wire mesh.

[0059] A third embodiment is any combination of the first two embodiments, including a sleeve woven from the cylindrical wire mesh described above.

[0060] A fourth embodiment is any combination of the first three embodiments, wherein the cylindrical wire mesh is cut along its transverse axis to form planar wire mesh layers.

[0061] A fifth embodiment is a combination of any of the first four embodiments, wherein the adhesive layer comprises a hot melt adhesive.

[0062] A sixth embodiment is a combination of any of the first five embodiments, wherein the outer protective layer comprises a polymer.

[0063] A seventh embodiment is a combination of any of the first six embodiments, wherein the outer protective layer comprises cotton.

[0064] An eighth embodiment is a combination of any of the first seven embodiments, wherein the outer protective layer comprises silicone.

[0065] In a fifth aspect, a first embodiment is a method of making a composite material for sealing an opening, the method comprising the steps of forming a planar wire mesh layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, dispensing an adhesive into the planar wire mesh layer from the first surface to the second surface, and bonding an outer protective layer to the second surface of the planar wire mesh.

[0066] The second embodiment is the first embodiment, and further includes the steps of preparing a cylindrical wire mesh and cutting the cylindrical wire mesh to form the planar wire mesh layer.

[0067] A third embodiment is any combination of the first two embodiments, where the cylindrical wire mesh is cut along its transverse axis.

[0068] A fourth embodiment is any combination of the first three embodiments, further comprising pressing the planar wire mesh layer, the adhesive, and the outer protective layer together to form the composite material.

[0069] A fifth embodiment is a combination of any of the first four embodiments, further comprising removably coupling a release liner to the adhesive on the first surface.

[0070] A sixth embodiment is a combination of any of the first five embodiments, wherein the wire mesh layer comprises metal.

[0071] A seventh embodiment is a combination of any of the first six embodiments, wherein the adhesive layer comprises a hot melt adhesive.

[0072] An eighth embodiment is a combination of any of the first seven embodiments, wherein the hot melt adhesive comprises a thermoplastic rubber.

[0073] A ninth embodiment is a combination of any of the first eight embodiments, wherein the hot melt adhesive comprises an additive.

[0074] A tenth embodiment is a combination of any of the first nine embodiments, wherein the additive comprises an antioxidant or a tackifying resin.

[0075] An eleventh embodiment is a combination of any of the first ten embodiments, wherein the protective layer comprises a thermoplastic material.

[0076] A twelfth embodiment is a combination of any of the first eleven embodiments, wherein the protective layer comprises low density polyethylene (LDPE).

[0077] A sixth aspect provides a tape made from any combination of the first eleven embodiments.

Claims

1. A composite material comprising: a wire mesh layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; an adhesive extending from the first surface to the second surface of the wire mesh layer; and a protective layer bonded to the adhesive at the second surface.

2. The composite material of claim 1 , wherein an adhesive layer is configured to bond a first surface of the wire mesh layer to another surface.

3. The composite material of claim 1 , further comprising a release layer removably coupled to the adhesive layer.

4. The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the wire mesh layer comprises a metal.

5. 10. The composite material of claim 1, wherein the wire mesh layer is formed from a cylindrical wire mesh.

6. 4. The composite material of claim 3, wherein the cylindrical wire mesh comprises a braided sleeve.

7. 4. The composite material of claim 3, wherein the cylindrical wire mesh is cut along its transverse axis to form planar wire mesh layers.

8. The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive layer comprises a hot melt adhesive.

9. 9. The composite material of claim 8, wherein the hot melt adhesive comprises a thermoplastic rubber.

10. 10. The composite material of claim 8, wherein the hot melt adhesive comprises an additive.

11. 11. The composite material of claim 10, wherein the additive comprises an antioxidant or a tackifying resin.

12. The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the polymer layer comprises a thermoplastic material.

13. 10. The composite material of claim 1, wherein the polymer layer comprises low density polyethylene (LDPE).

14. 10. The composite material of claim 1 for use in sealing an opening.

15. A tape comprising the composite material of claim 1.

16. 1. A tape for inhibiting rodent intrusion through an opening, the tape comprising: a wire mesh layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; an adhesive layer bonded to the first surface; and an outer protective layer bonded to the second surface.

17. 17. The tape of claim 16, wherein the wire mesh layer is formed from a cylindrical wire mesh.

18. 17. The tape of claim 16, wherein the cylindrical wire mesh comprises a braided sleeve.

19. 17. The tape of claim 16, wherein the cylindrical wire mesh is cut along its transverse axis to form planar wire mesh layers.

20. 17. The tape of claim 16, wherein the adhesive layer comprises a hot melt adhesive.

21. 17. The tape of claim 16, wherein the outer protective layer comprises a polymer.

22. 17. The tape of claim 16, wherein the outer protective layer comprises cotton.

23. 17. The tape of claim 16, wherein the outer protective layer comprises silicone.

24. 1. A method of manufacturing a composite material for sealing an opening, the method comprising: forming a planar wire mesh layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; applying adhesive to the planar wire mesh layer from the first surface to the second surface; and bonding an outer protective layer to the second surface of the planar wire mesh.

25. 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising the steps of providing a cylindrical wire mesh and cutting the cylindrical wire mesh to form the planar wire mesh layer.

26. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the cylindrical wire mesh is cut along a transverse axis.

27. 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising pressing the planar wire mesh layer, the adhesive, and the outer protective layer together to form the composite material.

28. 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising removably coupling a release liner to the adhesive at the first surface.

29. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the wire mesh layer comprises a metal.

30. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the adhesive layer comprises a hot melt adhesive.

31. 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the hot melt adhesive comprises a thermoplastic rubber.

32. 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the hot melt adhesive comprises an additive.

33. 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the additive comprises an antioxidant or a tackifying resin.

34. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the protective layer comprises a thermoplastic material.

35. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the protective layer comprises low density polyethylene (LDPE).

36. 25. A tape made by the method of claim 24.

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