Parasiticide dispenser

Abstract

The dispenser of parasiticidal substance comprises at least one tank (6) for containing a parasiticidal substance, said tank communicating with an ejection device (20) for releasing said parasiticidal substance, and is suitable for filling with said parasiticidal substance and expelling said parasiticidal substance by increasing the temperature.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dispenser for parasiticide substances. [Background technology]

[0002] The dispenser falls within the category of devices used to control mosquitoes and other pests and provides dual adulticidal action (against adult insects) and larvicidal action (against larvae, particularly mosquito larvae), thus providing both suppressive and preventative effects.

[0003] The presence of such insects can make parks, gardens and outdoor spaces unusable, so insect control of open spaces (and therefore urban environments) is necessary for comfort and for health and hygiene reasons.

[0004] The need to carry out large-scale and regular insect control or similar treatments in Europe increased especially in the early 2000s, when the presence of the so-called "Aedes albopictus" mosquito, which migrates from Southeast Asia, became a constant. In fact, these mosquitoes are more dangerous than the more common types, as they are active during the day, are extremely aggressive, and are vectors of pathogens that transmit allergies or more serious diseases such as encephalitis or malaria.

[0005] Due to the health and hygiene aspects involved, mosquito control issues are the responsibility of public authorities, who are constantly seeking and implementing effective and efficient systems and proposing them to the public.

[0006] When evaluating the best tool for mosquito control, the main aspects to consider, in addition to effectiveness, are the need for periodic intervention in the treatment cycle, the low cost of the solution used, and the limited environmental impact of the solution.

[0007] A common feature of the various existing parasite control treatments is that they must be performed cyclically because mosquito infestation problems occur seasonally, and they must be repeated multiple times during each seasonal cycle because weather events such as heavy rains can impair their effectiveness. This results in operators dedicated to this activity working virtually continuously for long periods of time, resulting in very high costs to public authorities.

[0008] A further problematic aspect of mosquito control is its impact on the environment, as both private citizens and professional companies often use substances that are harmful to the environment and human health, some of which are "dispersed" in the environment in a manner that is not properly targeted or effective. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] Therefore, the present invention aims to overcome the above drawbacks.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of this situation and aims to solve the problem of mosquito control in urban environments where the main areas where such insects occur are drains and large storm drains. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The invention as characterized in the claims achieves the above object by means of a device which is activated by temperature changes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The main advantage provided by the present invention is that it essentially targets the release of parasiticides to areas where larval concentrations are expected to be highest without operator intervention.

[0013] Furthermore, to prolong the effectiveness of the invention, it is sufficient to replenish the parasiticides periodically, in any case every few months.

[0014] As a result, significant savings can be achieved and the environmental impact that parasiticides may have on the environment and people can be minimized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] Further advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, given by way of example and non-limiting embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional perspective view showing the invention of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a more detailed view of the invention in operation. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a first diagram showing details of FIG. 3 in terms of the sequence of operations. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a second diagram showing details of FIG. 3 in terms of the sequence of operations. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a third diagram showing details of FIG. 3 in terms of the sequence of operations. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing another version of the details of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing another version of the present invention in further detail. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an assembled perspective view showing the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional perspective view showing a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a basic version of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] As can be seen, the present invention is directed to a dispenser of parasiticide material.

[0018] Depending on the parasiticide substance used and its characteristics, such as expansion due to temperature changes or the fact that it is a liquid or solid, it can be manufactured in a variety of ways, and in any case the operation of the dispenser 10 is always due to an increase in temperature.

[0019] FIG. 11 shows a first embodiment that can be implemented when the parasiticide material is highly expandable.

[0020] The embodiment involves the use of a tank 6 containing a parasiticide substance (preferably liquid, but which may also be solid or gaseous) in communication with an ejector 20 which releases the parasiticide substance, which operates by the expansion of the parasiticide substance due to an increase in temperature. Temperature changes cause the operation of the dispenser 10, as the parasiticide substance is prone to change volume with temperature changes.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 11, in this case, the discharge device 20 includes a pressurized chamber 14 communicating with the tank 6 through an opening 16, the pressurized chamber 14 is provided with a blocking means 15 for blocking the opening 16, and a check valve 13 is provided at the lower end 14a of the pressurized chamber 14, and the parasiticide substance is released from the check valve 13.

[0022] The pressure chamber 14 is gradually filled with the parasiticide substance by gravity through an opening 16 which connects the tank 6 to the pressure chamber 14, and when the pressure chamber 14 is full, the blocking means 15 (in the embodiment shown, in the form of small pellets 15a which are less dense than the parasiticide substance) blocks the opening 16, preventing the passage of the parasiticide substance. As the temperature rises in this state, the parasiticide substance increases in volume and some of it is released through the non-return valve 13; when the temperature falls and the parasiticide substance no longer occupies as much space, the small pellets 15a move away from the opening 16, allowing the pressure chamber 14 to be refilled.

[0023] FIG. 11 also shows two control valves 4 oriented in opposite directions, which communicate the tank 6 with the outside to prevent the creation of negative pressure inside the tank 6 and to isolate the tank 6 when it is submerged in water.

[0024] If the parasiticide substance is not significantly expandable, the dispenser 10 must be provided with a second tank 2, which is located upstream of the tank 6 containing the parasiticide substance and which contains a substance suitable for providing a propelling action due to an increase in temperature.

[0025] In this case, as shown in Figures 1 to 10, dispenser 10 includes a second tank 2 containing an expansible fluid, second tank 2 being provided with a lower bore 21, a rigid piston 3 slidable within bore 21, and a spring 9 suitable for resisting the downward movement of piston 3 due to the expansion of the fluid and for assisting its return upward movement when the volume of the fluid decreases, dispenser 10 also includes a tank 6 containing a parasiticide substance, tank 6 communicating with a discharge device 20 which releases the parasiticide substance and is operated by the movement of piston 3. Since fluids are prone to change volume with temperature changes, temperature changes are again the cause of operation of dispenser 10 in this case.

[0026] The figures show two different embodiments of the dispenser 10 depending on whether the parasiticide substance is in a liquid or solid state, in particular Figures 1 to 8 relate to a first version of the dispenser 10 and Figures 9 and 10 relate to a second version.

[0027] When the tank 6 contains a liquid parasiticide substance, the discharge device 20 includes a pressure chamber 14 for the parasiticide substance, a check valve 13 provided at the lower end 14a of the pressure chamber 14, and the liquid is discharged through the check valve 13. The sequence shown in Figures 3 to 6 shows how, when the volume of the fluid increases due to a rise in temperature, the piston 3 is pushed downward and advances within the pressure chamber 14, which uses the pressure chamber 14 to pull the sealing ring 11, which has a predetermined clearance both radially and axially relative to the piston 3, thereby discharging the parasiticide liquid. Then, when the temperature begins to drop again, the volume of the fluid decreases, and the action of the spring 9 causes a part of the piston 3 to rise again, forming a space 12 between the piston 3 and the sealing ring 11. This space 12 allows the parasiticide liquid to gradually fill the pressure chamber 14 by both gravity and vacuum.

[0028] Alternatively, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the piston 3 comprises an internal flow passage 31 through which the parasiticidal liquid passes, and means 32 for closing the flow passage 31 suitable for preventing the parasiticidal liquid from entering the pressurized chamber 14 during discharge. In the embodiment shown, the means 32 for closing the flow passage 31 comprises a sphere 32a having a lower density than the larvicidal liquid, the sphere 32a having dimensions to fit into the end of the flow passage 31 having the frusto-conical cavity 31a.

[0029] When the tank 6 contains a solid parasiticide substance, the discharge device 20 includes a pepper mill mechanism 30 formed by a grooved conical ring 33, a helical surface 34 coaxial with the conical ring 33, and a perforated grate 35, as seen in Figures 9 and 10, so as to grind the parasiticide substance by friction and deposit it on the surface below. In this case, the piston 3 includes a threaded portion 3a that is threaded to fit into a support 36 to which the helical surface 34 is fixed. As a result, vertical movement of the piston 3 rotates the helical surface 34, causing it to rub against the conical ring 33 and grind the parasiticide substance.

[0030] In any case, regardless of whether the second tank 2 is present or not, and whether the parasiticide substance is in a liquid or solid state, the tank 6 includes at least one movable wall portion 61, which is suitable for moving to allow the parasiticide substance to be replenished. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 9, the movable wall portion 61 rests on an elastic element 62 so as to return to its initial position under the action of the elastic element 62 under the pressure of an operator performing the replenishment. Furthermore, even when the second tank 2 is present, it is preferable to apply at least one control valve 4 to the tank 6, which contains the parasiticide substance, in order to prevent negative pressure inside the tank 6 and to prevent water or the like from entering the tank 6.

Claims

1. at least one tank (6) containing a parasiticidal substance, said tank (6) communicating with a discharge device (20) for releasing said parasiticidal substance, suitable for filling with said parasiticidal substance and for discharging said parasiticidal substance by increasing its temperature; a pressure chamber (14) communicating with the tank (6) through an opening (16) through which the parasiticide substance passes, the pressure chamber (14) being provided with a closing means (15) for closing the opening (16) and a check valve (13) located at a lower end (14a), and the parasiticide substance is released from the lower end (14a).

2. 2. A dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure means (15) comprises small pellets (15a) having a lower density than the parasiticidal substance.

3. 2. A dispenser for a parasiticide substance according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a second tank (2) containing an expansible fluid, said second tank (2) being arranged upstream of the tank (6) containing the parasiticide substance, and is provided with a lower bore (21), a rigid piston (3) slidable within said bore (21), and a spring (9) suitable for resisting the downward movement of said piston (3) due to the expansion of said fluid and for assisting its return upward movement, and wherein an ejection device (20) for releasing the parasiticide substance is operated by the movement of said piston (3).

4. 4. A dispenser according to claim 3, characterized in that the tank (6) contains a liquid parasiticide substance, the discharge device (20) comprises a pressurized chamber (14) for the parasiticide substance, the pressurized chamber (14) being provided at its lower end (14a) with a non-return valve (13) through which the liquid is released.

5. 4. A dispenser according to claim 3, characterized in that the tank (6) contains a solid parasiticide substance and the discharge device (20) includes a pepper mill mechanism (30) formed by a grooved conical ring (33), a helical surface (34) coaxial with the conical ring (33) and a perforated grate (35) to grind the parasiticide substance by friction and deposit it on a surface below.

6. 6. A dispenser according to claim 5, characterized in that the piston (3) comprises a threaded portion (3a) adapted to rotate the helical surface (34) as a result of movement of the piston (3), the helical surface (34) being fixed to a support (36), the support (36) being threaded to match the threaded portion (3a) of the piston (3).

7. 4. A dispenser according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that the tank (6) comprises at least one movable wall portion (61), which is suitable for moving to allow the replenishment of the parasiticide substance.

8. 8. The dispenser according to claim 7, characterized in that the movable part (61) of the wall rests on an elastic element (62) so as to return to the closed position of the tank (6) under the action of said elastic element (62).

9. 5. A dispenser according to claim 4, characterized in that the piston (3) comprises an internal flow passage (31) through which the parasiticide liquid passes and means (32) for closing the flow passage (31) suitable for preventing the parasiticide liquid from entering the pressurized chamber (14) during discharge.

10. 10. A dispenser according to claim 9, characterized in that the obstructing means (32) of the flow channel (31) comprises a sphere (32a) of lower density than the larvicidal liquid, said sphere (32a) having dimensions to fit into a frusto-conical cavity (31a) formed in an end extension of the flow channel (31).

11. 4. The dispenser according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a control valve (4) applied to said tank (6) and suitable for preventing negative pressure in said tank (6).

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