Fixed-volume injection-type aerosol product for repelling animals and animal repellant method

Abstract

An animal repellent component, a solvent, and a propellant are accommodated in an aerosol container 2 provided with a fixed-volume injection valve.

Description

Metered-discharge aerosol product for animal repellent and animal repellent method

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to animal repellent aerosol products and methods for repelling animals.

[0002] For example, rats are known to invade houses and buildings, causing various damage. For example, when rats excrete feces and urine indoors, they are left there, making the house dirty and causing unpleasant odors. Rats also transmit bacteria, which can lead to the outbreak of infectious diseases. Furthermore, rats can be infested with mites and fleas, which can pose health risks to people and pets by sucking their blood.

[0003] Rats also have sharp teeth, which can bite through electrical cords and communication cables, causing power outages, fires, communication disruptions, etc. Furthermore, rats can chew through food, furniture, electrical appliances, etc., causing economic damage.

[0004] As mentioned above, rats not only cause damage to property but can also cause damage to health, so rat repellents have been developed to prevent rats, who are the cause of this, from entering indoors. Patent Document 1 discloses an aerosol for rat and insect repellent containing peppermint oil and camphor oil.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 08-026924

[0006] However, in Patent Document 1, the amount of solvent sprayed is large, which may cause the treated surface to become sticky. Also, although the method is intended for use above the ceiling or under a raised floor, if sprayed into a narrow gap, the propellant may accumulate inside and remain at a high concentration.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of these points, and its purpose is to provide a metered-dose aerosol product for animals that is almost free of stickiness due to solvents, does not leave high concentrations of propellant behind when sprayed into narrow gaps, and exhibits a high animal repellent effect.

[0008] To achieve the above object, one aspect of the present disclosure can be based on an animal repellent metered-dose aerosol product for repelling animals, which contains an animal repellent component, a solvent, and a propellant in an aerosol container equipped with a metered-dose valve.

[0009] The liquid / gas ratio in the aerosol container can be set in the range of 70 / 30 to 1 / 99, preferably 50 / 50 to 1 / 99.The average particle size (D50) at a distance of 50 cm from the nozzle of the aerosol container can be set to 5 μm or more, preferably 20 μm or more, and more preferably 35 μm or more.

[0010] The animal repellent component may be a phenol. The phenol may be one or more selected from guaiacol, 3-methoxyphenol, 4-ethylguaiacol, phenol, creosol, o-cresol, m-cresol, and p-cresol. Furthermore, because it is a metered-dose aerosol, the amount of solvent sprayed can be reduced. Therefore, it is hardly sticky, and when sprayed into a narrow gap, the propellant does not remain in a high concentration.

[0011] According to this embodiment, there is almost no stickiness due to the solvent, the propellant does not remain in high concentrations when sprayed into a narrow gap, and a high animal repellent effect is exhibited.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an animal repellent aerosol product according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a test device used in a screening test for active ingredients. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a test device used in a spatial repellency test. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a test device used in a gap repellency test. Fig. 5 shows the test results of a stickiness confirmation test.

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses.

[0014] FIG. 1 shows an animal repellent aerosol product 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The animal repellent aerosol product 1 includes an aerosol container 2 containing an animal repellent containing an animal repellent component and a solvent together with a propellant, a cap 3, a spray button 4, and a nozzle 5. The aerosol product 1 is used in an animal repellent method. Examples of propellants that can be used include liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), dimethyl ether (DME), and compressed gases (carbon dioxide, nitrogen, nitrous oxide). The propellant may contain only one of these propellants, or a mixture of two or more of these propellants.

[0015] The aerosol container 2 is a pressure-resistant container, and is provided with a valve mechanism, a tip (not shown), and the like at the top. The valve mechanism is operable by the spray button 4, and is equipped with a metered-dose valve that sprays a fixed amount of the contents of the aerosol container 2 and stops spraying when the spray button 4 is operated once. Therefore, by operating the spray button 4 of the aerosol container 2 once, a fixed amount of the animal repellent component and solvent can be sprayed from the aerosol container 2 by the propellant, and the spraying can be stopped. This allows the animal repellent method to be carried out.

[0016] The cap 3 is a member attached to the top of the aerosol container 2. The nozzle 5 is integrated with the spray button 4 and is formed in a cylindrical or tubular shape to spray the contents from the aerosol container 2 via a valve mechanism. An ejection port 5a opens at the tip of the nozzle 5. The structures and shapes of the aerosol container 2, cap 3, spray button 4, and nozzle 5 are merely examples, and structures and shapes other than those shown in the drawings may also be used. For example, the number of ejection ports 5a may be one or two or more. When two or more ejection ports 5a are provided, the multiple ejection ports 5a may be arranged vertically or horizontally, or may be arranged in a matrix when viewed from the front.

[0017] The minimum inner diameter of the nozzle 5 is, for example, 0.4 mm or more, preferably 0.6 mm or more. The maximum inner diameter of the nozzle 5 is, for example, 1.2 mm or less, preferably 0.9 mm or less. The spray passage inside the nozzle 5 may be shaped to go straight, or may be angled so that the spray particles are dispersed during spraying.

[0018] The lower limit of the amount of injection per injection from a metered injection valve is set to 0.1 mL or more, preferably 0.5 mL or more, and the upper limit of the amount of injection per injection from a metered injection valve is set to 3.0 mL or less, preferably 2.0 mL or less.

[0019] The animal repellent may be sprayed from the aerosol container 2 once or multiple times. The animal repellent may be sprayed multiple times from the aerosol container 2 in one treatment, in which case the animal repellent may be sprayed intermittently at time intervals. The time interval may be, for example, 10 hours or more. The time interval may also be 40 hours or less. By repeatedly spraying the animal repellent at time intervals, animals such as rats learn that the active ingredient contained in the animal repellent has an unpleasant smell and that the propellant or solvent adhering to their bodies is unpleasant, thereby preventing the animals from settling in the area.

[0020] The average particle diameter (D50) of the animal repellent sprayed from the aerosol container 2 can be 5 μm or more, preferably 20 μm or more, and more preferably 35 μm or more, at a distance of 50 cm from the nozzle 5 a in the spray direction. The average particle diameter (D50) of the animal repellent sprayed from the aerosol container 2 is 65 μm or less, preferably 45 μm or less, at a distance of 50 cm from the nozzle 5 a in the spray direction.

[0021] Here, a method for measuring the average particle diameter of the animal repellent sprayed from the aerosol container 2 will be described. Although not shown, the animal repellent is sprayed from a position where the distance between the laser beam irradiated onto the light receiving section from the laser light irradiating section of the particle diameter measuring device and the nozzle 50a is 50 cm, so that the animal repellent passes through the laser beam in a direction perpendicular to the direction of irradiation. Measurements are taken while the animal repellent is being sprayed, and the particle size distribution of the animal repellent is analyzed by an automatic processing device to determine the average particle diameter (D50). This method is conventionally well known. The measuring instrument used is an LDSA-SPR-1500A manufactured by Microtrac-Bell Corporation.

[0022] If the volume ratio of the animal repellent (concentrate) to the propellant (gas) contained in the aerosol container 2 is defined as the liquid-gas ratio (liquid / gas), the range of the liquid-gas ratio is 70 / 30 to 1 / 99, and a range of 50 / 50 to 1 / 99 is preferable.

[0023] When spraying the animal repellent from the aerosol container 2, it may be sprayed, for example, into space, or onto the floor or into a gap. The direction of spraying the animal repellent may be upward, downward, or horizontal. It may also be sprayed upright or inverted. Furthermore, it may be sprayed while the aerosol container 2 is tilted diagonally or sideways.

[0024] When spraying the animal repellent indoors, the size of the space is preferably 8 tatami mats or less, more preferably 4 tatami mats or less. ３ or less, or 17.5m ３ The following is preferred:

[0025] When spraying animal repellent into a gap, the surface area of ​​the gap to be sprayed is 7 mm ２ More than 60,000 mm ２ The gap width is preferably 3 mm or more and 50 mm or less, but the animal repellent may be sprayed in a wider space. The width of the gap is preferably 3 mm or more and 50 mm or less. By using the animal repellent aerosol product 1, it is possible to carry out an animal repellent method in which the animal repellent component is vaporized into the air.

[0026] The animal repellent contains phenols, essential oils, essential oil-derived components, etc. as active ingredients that have a repellent effect on animals. The active ingredient may be one of these, or a mixture of two or more of these. Furthermore, the active ingredient may be a fragrance that reproduces the odor of a natural enemy animal, such as a cat odor fragrance.

[0027] Examples of phenols that can be used as an active ingredient include guaiacol (2-methoxyphenol), 3-methoxyphenol, 4-ethylguaiacol, phenol, creosol, o-cresol, m-cresol, p-cresol, etc. Among these, only one arbitrarily selected type may be contained as the active ingredient, or a mixture of two or more arbitrarily selected types may be contained as the active ingredient.

[0028] Examples of essential oils that can be used as active ingredients include peppermint oil, rosemary oil, lemongrass oil, lavender oil, orange oil, Ryukyu herb (shell ginger) oil, wasabi oil, pepper oil, mustard oil, etc. Only one of these oils may be arbitrarily selected as the active ingredient, or a mixture of two or more of these oils may be arbitrarily selected as the active ingredient.

[0029] Examples of essential oil-derived components that can be used as active ingredients include L-menthol, menthyl acetate, L-menthyl glyceryl ether, allyl isothiocyanate, allicin, gingerol, camphor, curcumin, piperine, citronellol, hexanal, hexyl acetate, geraniol, p-cymene, terpinene, terpineol, thymol, citronellal, geranyl formate, isoamyl formate, chili pepper extract, synthetic capsaicins, etc. Only one arbitrarily selected from these may be contained as the active ingredient, or a mixture of two or more arbitrarily selected types may be contained as the active ingredient.

[0030] Usable solvents include, for example, alcohol solvents, hydrocarbon solvents, ester solvents, glycol solvents, fluorine-containing solvents, and water.

[0031] Examples of alcohols that can be used as solvents include ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, etc. Examples of hydrocarbon solvents that can be used as solvents include paraffin, isoparaffin, kerosene, etc. Examples of ester solvents that can be used as solvents include isopropyl myristate, etc. Examples of glycol solvents that can be used as solvents include propylene glycol monomethyl ether (PGME), etc. Examples of fluorine-based solvents that can be used as solvents include hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), etc. Examples of water that can be used as solvents include tap water, ion-exchanged water, purified water, etc. Among these, only one arbitrarily selected type may be used as the solvent, or a mixture of two or more arbitrarily selected types may be used as the solvent. When water is used as the solvent, phenols do not dissolve as they are, so alcohols are added or the solvent is solubilized with a surfactant. Examples of usable surfactants include anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, etc. Among these, only one arbitrarily selected type may be used as the surfactant, or a mixture of two or more arbitrarily selected types may be used as the surfactant.

[0032] The animal repellent may contain other components in addition to the solvent. Examples of other components include insecticides, bactericidal / antiseptic components, deodorizers, pH adjusters, fragrances, pigments, repellent potentiators, UV absorbers, antioxidants, powders, film-forming agents, etc. Among these, only one arbitrarily selected component may be contained as the other component, or a mixture of two or more arbitrarily selected components may be contained as the other component.

[0033] The lower limit of the concentration of the active ingredient (mg / vol % of the total solution) can be, for example, 1 or more, preferably 10 or more. The upper limit of the concentration of the active ingredient (mg / vol % of the total solution) can be 50 or less, preferably 45 or less.

[0034] The lower limit of the amount of animal repellent to be treated is 1.1 mg / m of active ingredient. ３A treatment amount of 2.3 mg / m or more is preferable. ３ The upper limit of the amount of the animal repellent to be treated is 60 mg / m of the active ingredient. ３ A treatment amount of 55 mg / m or less is preferable. ３ The processing amount can be set as follows.

[0035] Examples of animals that can be repelled by the animal repellent include small animals, such as house mice, brown rats, black rats, nutrias, weasels, and moles. The repellent effect is also exerted on other animals, such as dogs, cats, raccoons, palm civets, wild boars, and deer. Among these, the animal repellent exhibits a particularly high repellent effect on house mice, brown rats, and black rats.

[0036] The animal repellent may be used indoors or outdoors. Examples of places of use include attics, ceilings, under floors, under eaves, storage sheds, warehouses, barns, closets, garages (parking lots, bicycle parking lots), entrances, kitchens, living rooms, bathrooms, toilets, bedrooms, gardens, garbage disposal areas, holes in the walls of rooms and corridors, etc. The animal repellent may also be used in gaps between electrical appliances such as refrigerators and walls, gaps between electrical appliances and furniture, gaps between furniture and walls, gaps between furniture and other furniture, etc.

[0037] EXAMPLES The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to examples and comparative examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0038] (Screening test for active ingredients of animal repellents) A screening test for active ingredients of animal repellents will be described. The temperature during the test was 25°C ± 2°C, and the humidity during the test was 40%. Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Example 1 shown in Table 1 were prepared as test samples.

[0039] A 5 cm diameter filter paper was uniformly impregnated with 13 mg of each component from Examples 1 to 5 and placed in a petri dish. In Comparative Example 1, only the filter paper was placed in the petri dish. As shown in FIG. 2 , two plastic containers 60A and 60B were prepared. A hole was formed on one side of each container 60A and 60B, and they were connected by a polyvinyl chloride pipe 61 to allow mice to move between them. One container 60A contained sawdust, a test agent, and bait and served as the treatment group. The other container 60B contained sawdust and an empty petri dish and served as the untreated group. A single mouse was released into the untreated group, and each container 60A and 60B was covered with a metal mesh lid. The time spent by the mouse in each container 60A and 60B over one hour was measured, and the repellency rate was calculated using the following formula (1). The total time spent by the mouse in the untreated group was designated T1, and the total time spent by the mouse in the treated group was designated T2.

[0040] Repellency rate (%) = (T1 - T2) / T1 x 100

[0041]

[0042] As shown in Table 1, when guaiacol, hexanal, geranyl formate, isoamyl formate, or 3-methoxyphenol is used as the active ingredient, the repellency rate is 70% or higher, and a high animal repellent effect can be obtained. Furthermore, the same repellent effect as for house mice can be obtained for small animals such as brown rats, brown rats, nutria, weasels, and moles, as well as for animals such as dogs, cats, raccoons, palm civets, wild boars, and deer. Furthermore, a similar repellent effect can be obtained even when a solvent is included.

[0043] (Animal Spatial Avoidance Test 1) Next, the animal spatial avoidance test 1 will be described. The test location was an 8-tatami (35 m) room. ３ ) in a windless, constant temperature room. The temperature during the test was 25°C ± 2°C, and the humidity during the test was 40%. Examples 6 to 9 shown in Table 2 were used as test agents. Each component of the test agent was dissolved in ethanol and filled into an aerosol container together with 0.40 LPG as a propellant. The liquid-to-gas ratio (liquid / gas) was 30 / 70. The aerosol container was equipped with a metering valve that dispensed 1.0 mL per spray.

[0044] As shown in Figure 3, five mice were placed in the treatment area of ​​a windless, temperature-controlled room and allowed to acclimate for four hours. Acclimation was performed by using a concrete block with a hole as a settlement source, and by adding water and food with the door closed. The door to the treatment area was then opened 2 cm, and the test agent contained in an aerosol container was sprayed twice through the opening. The number of mice staying in the treatment area was counted immediately after spraying, and 3, 6, 16, and 24 hours later, and the repellency rate was calculated using the following formula (2):

[0045] Repellency rate (%) = number of mice in the untreated area (mice) / total number of mice (mice) x 100

[0046]

[0047] Guaiacol, hexanal, geranyl formate, and isoamyl formate all have a high animal repellent effect. Furthermore, similar repellent effects can be obtained against small animals such as brown rats, brown rats, nutria, weasels, and moles, as well as animals such as dogs, cats, raccoons, palm civets, wild boars, and deer.

[0048] (Animal Spatial Avoidance Test 2) Next, the animal spatial avoidance test 2 will be described. The test location was an 8-tatami (35 m) room. ３ ) in a windless, constant temperature room. The temperature during the test was 25°C ± 2°C, and the humidity during the test was 40%. The test agent used guaiacol as the animal repellent component, and the rest was the same as in Animal Spatial Repellency Test 1. The test method was the same as Animal Spatial Repellency Test 1. As shown in Examples 10 to 13 in Table 3, the agent treatment amount of guaiacol (mg / m ３ ) was changed.

[0049]

[0050] The drug treatment amount of guaiacol was 1.1 mg / m ３ By setting the amount to 1.1 mg / m or more, a high animal repellent effect was demonstrated. ３By using the above methods, a high animal repellent effect is achieved. Furthermore, the same repellent effect as that for house mice can be obtained for small animals such as brown rats, brown rats, nutria, weasels, and moles, as well as for animals such as dogs, cats, raccoons, palm civets, wild boars, and deer.

[0051] (Animal Gap Repellency Test) Next, the animal gap repellency test will be described. ３ The test was carried out in a windless, temperature-controlled room. The temperature during the test was 25°C ± 2°C, and the humidity during the test was 40%. The active ingredient of the test agent was guaiacol, and the amount of guaiacol used for the drug treatment was 3.8 mg / m ３ Other than that, the test was the same as in Animal Spatial Repellency Test 1. As Comparative Example 2, a rat repellent aerosol containing natural peppermint oil, Ryukyu herb fragrance, and cat odor fragrance as active ingredients was used.

[0052] Each tip was attached to the nozzle hole of the aerosol container. The tips prepared were one with four holes of 0.8 mm diameter (Example 14), one with one hole of 1.95 mm diameter (Example 15), one with one hole of 0.9 mm diameter (Example 16), and one with one hole of 0.6 mm diameter (Example 17).

[0053] As shown in Figure 4, five house mice were placed in a treatment area in a windless, temperature-controlled room and allowed to acclimate overnight. Two cardboard boxes 80 were placed side by side in one of the four corners of the room, with sawdust 81, bait 82, and water 83 placed in the gap. After acclimatization, another cardboard box 80 was placed diagonally, and sawdust 81, bait 82, and water 83 were similarly placed in the gap. The test agent was then sprayed twice. In the comparative example, the spray was performed for 0.1 seconds, and the repellency rate was confirmed after each time elapsed.

[0054] The repellency rate was calculated using the following formula (3).

[0055] Repellency rate (%) = 1 - (number of mice remaining in the gap between two cardboard boxes (mice) / total number of mice (mice)) x 100

[0056]

[0057] By setting the average particle diameter (D50) at a distance of 50 cm from the nozzle of the aerosol container to 35 μm or more, a high animal repellent effect was demonstrated. Furthermore, the same repellent effect as that for house mice can be obtained for small animals such as brown rats, brown rats, nutrias, weasels, and moles, as well as animals such as dogs, cats, raccoons, palm civets, wild boars, and deer.

[0058] (Repeated Gap Repellent Test) Next, the repeated gap repellent test will be described. The test location was a 4-tatami (17.5 m) room. ３ ) in a windless, constant temperature room. The temperature during the test was 25°C ± 2°C, and the humidity during the test was 40%. Example 18 shown in Table 4 was used as the test agent. The test agent was prepared by dissolving guaiacol in propylene glycol monomethyl ether (PGME) and filling it into an aerosol container together with 0.40 LPG as a propellant. The liquid-gas ratio (liquid / gas) was 30 / 70. The aerosol container was equipped with a metering valve that dispenses 1.0 mL per spray. The drug treatment amount of guaiacol was 3.8 mg / m ３ Comparative Example 2 was also used.

[0059] The test method was the same as that for the animal crevice repellency test. The second spray was performed 40 hours after the first spray, and the third spray was performed 88 hours after the first spray.

[0060]

[0061] In both Example 18 and Comparative Example 2, the repellency rate dropped to 60% after 40 hours, but by spraying a second and third time, Example 18 was able to maintain a high repellency effect for up to 119 hours. On the other hand, in Comparative Example 2, the repellency rate dropped to 40% after 88 hours and remained at 40% thereafter. In this way, by spraying a fixed amount of the animal repellent component, a high and sustained repellency effect can be achieved without animals becoming accustomed to the smell.

[0062] (Animal Spatial Avoidance Test 3) Next, the animal spatial avoidance test 3 will be described. The test location was an 8-tatami (35 m) room. ３The test was carried out in a windless, temperature-controlled room (25°C ± 2°C) with a humidity of 40%. The test agent used was Example 18. The test method was the same as that used in the spatial repellency test for animals. The repellency rate after spraying was confirmed up to 46 hours later.

[0063]

[0064] (Stickiness Confirmation Test) Next, the stickiness confirmation test will be described. The test location was a 4-tatami mat (17.5 m) room. ３ The temperature during the test was 25°C ± 2°C, and the humidity during the test was 40%. The test agents used were Example 18 and Comparative Example 2.

[0065] Shoji paper was laid over the entire floor of a windless, temperature-controlled room, and the test agent was sprayed at the entrance of the room from a height of 50 cm above the floor so that it was level with the floor. Assuming an actual use situation, Example 18 was sprayed once, and the Comparative Example was sprayed for 15 seconds. Thereafter, stickiness to the shoji paper was evaluated.

[0066] As shown in Figure 5, no stickiness occurred in Example 18. On the other hand, in Comparative Example 2, a large amount of the aerosol concentrate adhered to the shoji paper, causing stickiness.

[0067] (Field Test) Next, the field test will be described. The test location was the attic of a poultry farm. The test agent was Example 18. Since one wild brown rat was present in a gap measuring approximately 5 cm in width, 120 cm in depth, and 140 cm in height, the test agent was sprayed once. As a result, the rat escaped from the gap immediately after the spraying, and no rats were seen in the gap for 35 hours after the spraying.

[0068] The above-described embodiments are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be construed as limiting. Furthermore, all modifications and variations within the scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention. For example, even if the solvent is replaced with another solvent, the same repellent effect can be achieved.

[0069] As described above, the present disclosure can be used to repel animals such as rats.

[0070] 1. Animal repellent aerosol products

Claims

1. A metered-dose aerosol product for animal repellent, in which an animal repellent ingredient, a solvent, and a propellant are contained in an aerosol container equipped with a metered-dose valve.

2. The metered-volume aerosol product for animal repellency according to claim 1, wherein the liquid / gas ratio is in the range of 70 / 30 to 1 / 99.

3. The metered-dose aerosol product for animal repellency according to claim 1, wherein the average particle diameter (D50) at a distance of 50 cm from the nozzle is 5 μm or more.

4. The metered-dose aerosol product for animal repellency according to claim 1, wherein the animal repellent component is a phenol.

5. The metered-dose aerosol product for animal repellency according to claim 4, wherein the phenol is one or more selected from the group consisting of guaiacol, 3-methoxyphenol, 4-ethylguaiacol, phenol, creosol, o-cresol, m-cresol, and p-cresol.

6. The animal repellent metered-dose aerosol product according to claim 1, wherein the amount of spray per one time from the metered-dose spray valve is 0.1 ml or more.

7. An animal repellent method comprising storing an animal repellent component, a solvent, and a propellant in an aerosol container equipped with a metered dose injection valve, and operating the injection button on the aerosol container once to inject a fixed amount of the animal repellent component and the solvent from the aerosol container using the propellant, and then stopping the injection.

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