Subsurface pesticide injection and fluid extraction system

• US 6,564,504 B2
• Filed: 07/30/2002
• Issued: 05/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Healthy Builders, LLC
• Original Assignee: Tom Hoshall
• Inventors: Hoshall, Tom
• Primary Examiner(s): Ark, Darren W.
• Application Number:
  US10/209,566
• Publication Number:
  US 20020174595A1
• Time in Patent Office: 294 Days
• Field of Search: 431/24, 431/321, 521/01, 521/691, 521/695, 239/547, 138/28, 138/118, 138/118.1, 138/119, 138/178
• US Class Current: 43/124
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/245 for pesticide application or distribution, e.g. using a network of pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 2200/011 Crawling insects
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/72 Pest control by keeping dry E04B1/70; impregnation of wood or like materials B27K

Abstract

A subsurface pesticide injection system for use in combination with a structure having a footing formed in a base soil, a stem wall formed on the footing and defining a perimeter of the structure, a fill material disposed on the base soil within the perimeter of the stem wall, and a concrete slab formed on the fill material is provided. The concrete slab has openings extending therethrough. The subsurface pesticide injection and fluid extraction system comprising includes a tubular conduit disposed within the fill material of the structure such that portions of the tubular conduit are disposed adjacent the openings of the concrete slab. The tubular conduit has a sidewall, a first end, a second end, and a plurality of tortuous pores extending through the sidewall of the tubular conduit. A connector member is attached to one of the first and second ends of the tubular conduit and detachably connectable to a source of pressurized pesticide such that pesticide may be selectively injected into the fill material in an injection mode to form a chemical barrier against the infestation of pests into the structure through the openings of the concrete slab. The connector member is also detachably connectable to a vacuum source such that fluids may be selectively extracted from the fill material in an extraction mode to reduce the passage of fluids into the structure through the openings of the concrete slab.

Claims

1. A pesticide injection system in combination with a structure, the structure having an exterior facing, the pesticide injection system comprising:

a tubular conduit disposed adjacent an interior side of the exterior facing of the structure, the tubular conduit having a sidewall, a first end, a second end, and a plurality of tortuous pores extending through the sidewall of the tubular conduit, the tubular conduit constructed of an elastomeric material such that upon applying a positive internal pressure to the tubular conduit by the injection of pressurized pesticide into the tubular conduit the tortuous pores of the tubular conduit are caused to open to permit the release of pesticide from the tubular conduit adjacent the interior side of the exterior facing and upon removal of the positive internal pressure the tortuous pores are caused to close so that the tortuous pores remain substantially clog free; and

a connector member attached to at least one of the first and second ends of the tubular conduit and detachably connectable to a source of pressurized pesticide such that pesticide may be selectively injected adjacent the interior side of the exterior facing of the structure to form a barrier against the infestation of pests into the structure.

2. A subsurface pesticide injection system in combination with a structure having a foundation, the subsurface pesticide injection system comprising:

a tubular conduit disposed adjacent the foundation of the structure, the tubular conduit having a sidewall, a first end, a second end, and a plurality of tortuous pores extending through the sidewall of the tubular conduit, the tubular conduit constructed of an elastomeric material such that upon applying a positive internal pressure to the tubular conduit by the injection of pressurized pesticide into the tubular conduit the tortuous pores of the tubular conduit are caused to open to permit the release of pesticide from the tubular conduit and upon removal of the positive internal pressure the tortuous pores are caused to close so that the tortuous pores remain substantially clog free; and

a connector member attached to one of the first and second ends of the tubular conduit and detachably connectable to a source of pressurized pesticide such that pesticide may be selectively injected adjacent the foundation of the structure in an injection mode to form a chemical barrier against the infestation of pests into the structure.

3. A subsurface pesticide injection system in combination with a structure having a foundation formed in a base soil, the subsurface pesticide injection system comprising:

a tubular conduit disposed within the base soil adjacent an exterior side of the foundation, the tubular conduit having a sidewall, a first end, a second end, and a plurality of tortuous pores extending through the sidewall of the tubular conduit, the tubular conduit constructed of an elastomeric material such that upon applying a positive internal pressure to the tubular conduit by the injection of pressurized pesticide into the tubular conduit the tortuous pores of the tubular conduit are caused to open to permit the release of pesticide from the tubular conduit into the base soil and upon removal of the positive internal pressure the tortuous pores are caused to close so that the tortuous pores remain substantially clog free; and

a connector member attached to at least one of the first and second ends of the tubular conduit and detachably connectable to a source of pressurized pesticide such that pesticide may be selectively injected into the base soil on the exterior side of the foundation to form a chemical barrier against the infestation of pests into the structure.

4. A subsurface pesticide injection system in combination with a structure, the structure having a footing formed in a base soil, a stem wall formed on the footing and defining a perimeter of the structure, a fill material disposed on the base soil within the perimeter of the stem wall, and a concrete slab formed on the fill material and having openings extending therethrough, the subsurface pesticide injection system comprising:

a tubular conduit disposed within the fill material of the structure such that portions of the tubular conduit are disposed adjacent the openings of the concrete slab, the tubular conduit having a sidewall, a first end, a second end, and a plurality of tortuous pores extending through the sidewall of the tubular conduit, the tubular conduit having a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and constructed of an elastomeric material such that upon applying a positive internal pressure to the tubular conduit by the injection of pressurized pesticide into the tubular conduit the tortuous pores of the tubular conduit are caused to open to permit the release of pesticide from the tubular conduit into the fill material while the tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and upon removal of the positive internal pressure the tortuous pores are caused to close so that the tortuous pores remain substantially clog free while the tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration; and

means for detachably connecting a source of pressurized pesticide to at least one of the first and second ends of the tubular conduit whereby pesticide may be selectively injected into the fill material in an injection mode to form a chemical barrier against the infestation of pests into the structure through the openings of the concrete slab.

5. The combination of claim 4 further comprising:

another tubular conduit disposed within the base soil adjacent the exterior side of the footing, the other tubular conduit having a sidewall, a first end, a second end, and a plurality of tortuous pores extending through the sidewall of the other tubular conduit, the other tubular conduit having a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and constructed of an elastomeric material such that upon applying a positive internal pressure to the other tubular conduit by the injection of pressurized pesticide into the other tubular conduit the tortuous pores of the other tubular conduit are caused to open to permit the release of pesticide from the other tubular conduit into the base soil while the tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and upon removal of the positive internal pressure the tortuous pores are caused to close so that the tortuous pores remain substantially clog free while the other tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration; and

means for detachably connecting the source of pressurized pesticide to at least one of the first and second ends of the other tubular conduit whereby pesticide may be selectively injected into the base soil on the exterior side of the footing to form a chemical barrier against the infestation of pests into the structure.

6. The combination of claim 4 wherein the structure further comprises an exterior facing on the exterior side of the stem wall and wherein the insecticide delivery system further comprises:

another tubular conduit disposed adjacent an interior side of the exterior facing of the structure, the other tubular conduit having a sidewall, a first end, a second end, and a plurality of tortuous pores extending through the sidewall of the other tubular conduit, the other tubular conduit having a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and constructed of an elastomeric material such that upon applying a positive internal pressure to the other tubular conduit by the injection of pressurized pesticide into the other tubular conduit the tortuous pores of the other tubular conduit are caused to open to permit the release of pesticide from the other tubular conduit adjacent the interior side of the exterior facing while the other tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and upon removal of the positive internal pressure the tortuous pores are caused to close so that the tortuous pores remain substantially clog free while the other tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration; and

means for detachably connecting the source of pressurized pesticide to at least one of the first and second ends of the other tubular conduit whereby pesticide may be selectively injected adjacent the interior side of the exterior facing of the structure to form a chemical barrier against the infestation of pests into the structure.

7. A pesticide injection system in combination with a structure, the structure having a footing formed in a base soil, a stem wall formed on the footing and defining a perimeter of the structure, an exterior facing on the exterior side of the stem wall, a fill material disposed on the base soil within the perimeter of the stem wall, and a concrete slab formed on the fill material and having openings extending therethrough, the pesticide injection system comprising:

a tubular conduit disposed adjacent an interior side of the exterior facing of the structure, the tubular conduit having a sidewall, a first end, a second end, and a plurality of tortuous pores extending through the sidewall of the tubular conduit, the tubular conduit having a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and constructed of an elastomeric material such that upon applying a positive internal pressure to the tubular conduit by the injection of pressurized pesticide into the tubular conduit the tortuous pores of the tubular conduit are caused to open to permit the release of pesticide from the tubular conduit adjacent the interior side of the exterior facing while the tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and upon removal of the positive internal pressure the tortuous pores are caused to close so that the tortuous pores remain substantially clog free while the tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration; and

a connector member attached to at least one of the first and second ends of the tubular conduit and detachably connectable to a source of pressurized pesticide such that pesticide may be selectively injected adjacent the interior side of the exterior facing of the structure to form a chemical barrier against the infestation of pests into the structure.

8. A subsurface pesticide injection system in combination with a structure, the structure having a footing formed in a base soil, a stem wall formed on the footing and defining a perimeter of the structure, a fill material disposed on the base soil within the perimeter of the stem wall, and a concrete slab formed on the fill material and having openings extending therethrough, the subsurface pesticide injection system comprising:

a tubular conduit disposed within the fill material of the structure such that portions of the tubular conduit are disposed adjacent the openings of the concrete slab, the tubular conduit having a sidewall, a first end, a second end, and a plurality of tortuous pores extending through the sidewall of the tubular conduit, the tubular conduit having a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and constructed of an elastomeric material such that upon applying a positive internal pressure to the tubular conduit by the injection of pressurized pesticide into the tubular conduit the tortuous pores of the tubular conduit are caused to open to permit the release of pesticide from the tubular conduit into the fill material while the tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and upon removal of the positive internal pressure the tortuous pores are caused to close so that the tortuous pores remain substantially clog free while the tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration; and

a connector member attached to one of the first and second ends of the tubular conduit and detachably connectable to a source of pressurized pesticide such that pesticide may be selectively injected into the fill material in an injection mode to form a chemical barrier against the infestation of pests into the structure through the openings of the concrete slab.

9. The combination of claim 8 further comprising:

another tubular conduit disposed within the base soil adjacent the exterior side of the footing, the other tubular conduit having a sidewall, a first end, a second end, and a plurality of tortuous pores extending through the sidewall of the other tubular conduit, the other tubular conduit having a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and constructed of an elastomeric material such that upon applying a positive internal pressure to the other tubular conduit by the injection of pressurized pesticide into the other tubular conduit the tortuous pores of the other tubular conduit are caused to open to permit the release of pesticide from the other tubular conduit into the base soil while the other tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and upon removal of the positive internal pressure the tortuous pores are caused to close so that the tortuous pores remain substantially clog free while the other tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration,

wherein the connector member is attached to at least one of the first and second ends of the other second tubular conduit such that pesticide may be selectively injected into the base soil on the exterior side of the footing to form a chemical barrier against the infestation of pests into the structure.

10. The combination of claim 8 wherein the structure further comprises an exterior facing on the exterior side of the stem wall and wherein the insecticide delivery system further comprises:

another tubular conduit disposed adjacent an interior side of the exterior facing of the structure, the other tubular conduit having a sidewall, a first end, a second end, and a plurality of tortuous pores extending through the sidewall of the other tubular conduit, the other tubular conduit having a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and constructed of an elastomeric material such that upon applying a positive internal pressure to the other tubular conduit by the injection of pressurized pesticide into the other tubular conduit the tortuous pores of the other tubular conduit are caused to open to permit the release of pesticide from the other tubular conduit adjacent the interior side of the exterior facing while the other tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and upon removal of the positive internal pressure the tortuous pores are caused to close so that the tortuous pores remain substantially clog free while the other tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration,

wherein the connector member is attached to at least one of the first and second ends of the other tubular conduit such that pesticide may be selectively injected adjacent the interior side of the exterior facing of the structure to form a chemical barrier against the infestation of pests into the structure.

11. A subsurface pesticide injection system in combination with a structure, the structure having a footing formed in a base soil, a stem wall formed on the footing and defining a perimeter of the structure, a fill material disposed on the base soil within the perimeter of the stem wall, and a concrete slab formed on the fill material and having openings extending therethrough, the subsurface pesticide injection system comprising:

a tubular conduit disposed within the base soil adjacent the exterior side of the footing, the tubular conduit having a sidewall, a first end, a second end, and a plurality of tortuous pores extending through the sidewall of the tubular conduit, the tubular conduit having a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and constructed of an elastomeric material such that upon applying a positive internal pressure to the tubular conduit by the injection of pressurized pesticide into the tubular conduit the tortuous pores of the tubular conduit are caused to open to permit the release of pesticide from the tubular conduit into the base soil while the tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and upon removal of the positive internal pressure the tortuous pores are caused to close so that the tortuous pores remain substantially clog free while the tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration; and

a connector member attached to at least one of the first and second ends of the tubular conduit and detachably connectable to a source of pressurized pesticide such that pesticide may be selectively injected into the base soil on the exterior side of the footing to form a chemical barrier against the infestation of pests into the structure.

12. A subsurface pesticide injection system in combination with a structure, the structure having a footing formed in a base soil, a stem wall formed on the footing and defining a perimeter of the structure, a fill material disposed on the base soil within the perimeter of the stem wall, and a concrete slab formed on the fill material and having openings extending therethrough, the subsurface pesticide injection system comprising:

a tubular conduit disposed within the concrete slab of the structure such that portions of the tubular conduit are disposed adjacent the openings of the concrete slab, the tubular conduit having a sidewall, a first end, a second end, and a plurality of tortuous pores extending through the sidewall of the tubular conduit, the tubular conduit having a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and constructed of an elastomeric material such that upon applying a positive internal pressure to the tubular conduit by the injection of pressurized pesticide into the tubular conduit the tortuous pores of the tubular conduit are caused to open to permit the release of pesticide from the tubular conduit into the slab while the tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and upon removal of the positive internal pressure the tortuous pores are caused to close so that the tortuous pores remain substantially clog free while the tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration; and

a connector member attached to one of the first and second ends of the tubular conduit and detachably connectable to a source of pressurized pesticide such that pesticide may be selectively injected into the openings of the concrete slab in an injection mode to form a chemical barrier against the infestation of pests into the structure through the openings of the concrete slab.

13. The combination of claim 12 further comprising:

another tubular conduit disposed within the base soil adjacent the exterior side of the footing, the other tubular conduit having a sidewall, a first end, a second end, and a plurality of tortuous pores extending through the sidewall of the other tubular conduit, the other tubular conduit having a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and constructed of an elastomeric material such that upon applying a positive internal pressure to the other tubular conduit by the injection of pressurized pesticide into the other tubular conduit the tortuous pores of the other tubular conduit are caused to open to permit the release of pesticide from the other tubular conduit into the base soil while the other tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and upon removal of the positive internal pressure the tortuous pores are caused to close so that the tortuous pores remain substantially clog free while the other tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration,

wherein the connector member is attached to at least one of the first and second ends of the other tubular conduit such that pesticide may be selectively injected into the base soil on the exterior side of the footing to form a chemical barrier against the infestation of pests into the structure.

14. The combination of claim 12 wherein the structure further comprises an exterior facing on the exterior side of the stem wall and wherein the insecticide delivery system further comprises:

another tubular conduit disposed adjacent an interior side of the exterior facing of the structure, the other tubular conduit having a sidewall, a first end, a second end, and a plurality of tortuous pores extending through the sidewall of the other tubular conduit, the other tubular conduit having a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and constructed of an elastomeric material such that upon applying a positive internal pressure to the other tubular conduit by the injection of pressurized pesticide into the other tubular conduit the tortuous pores of the other tubular conduit are caused to open to permit the release of pesticide from the other tubular conduit adjacent the interior side of the exterior facing while the second tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and upon removal of the positive internal pressure the tortuous pores are caused to close so that the tortuous pores remain substantially clog free while the other tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration,

wherein the connector member is attached to at least one of the first and second ends of the other tubular conduit such that pesticide may be selectively injected adjacent the interior side of the exterior facing of the structure to form a chemical barrier against the infestation of pests into the structure.

15. A subsurface pesticide injection system in combination with a structure, the structure having a footing formed in a base soil, a stem wall formed on the footing and defining a perimeter of the structure, a fill material disposed on the base soil within the perimeter of the stem wall, and a concrete slab formed on the fill material and having openings extending therethrough, the subsurface pesticide injection system comprising:

a tubular conduit disposed within the fill material of the structure such that portions of the tubular conduit are disposed adjacent the openings of the concrete slab, the tubular conduit having a sidewall, a first end, a second end, and a plurality of tortuous pores extending through the sidewall of the tubular conduit, the tubular conduit having a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and constructed of an elastomeric material such that upon applying a positive internal pressure to the tubular conduit by the injection of pressurized pesticide into the tubular conduit the tortuous pores of the tubular conduit are caused to open to permit the release of pesticide from the tubular conduit into the fill material while the tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and upon removal of the positive internal pressure the tortuous pores are caused to close so that the tortuous pores remain substantially clog free while the tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration; and

a connector member attached to the first and second ends of the tubular conduit and detachably connectable to a source of pressurized pesticide such that pesticide may be simultaneously injected into the first and second ends of the tubular conduit and in turn the fill material in an injection mode to form a chemical barrier against the infestation of pests into the structure through the openings of the concrete slab.

16. The combination of claim 15 further comprising:

another tubular conduit disposed within the base soil adjacent the exterior side of the footing, the other tubular conduit having a sidewall, a first end, a second end, and a plurality of tortuous pores extending through the sidewall of the other tubular conduit, the other tubular conduit having a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and constructed of an elastomeric material such that upon applying a positive internal pressure to the other tubular conduit by the injection of pressurized pesticide into the other tubular conduit the tortuous pores of the other tubular conduit are caused to open to permit the release of pesticide from the other tubular conduit into the base soil while the other tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and upon removal of the positive internal pressure the tortuous pores are caused to close so that the tortuous pores remain substantially clog free while the other tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration,

wherein the connector member is attached to at least one of the first and second ends of the other tubular conduit such that pesticide may be selectively injected into the base soil on the exterior side of the footing to form a chemical barrier against the infestation of pests into the structure.

17. The combination of claim 15 wherein the structure further comprises an exterior facing on the exterior side of the stem wall and wherein the insecticide delivery system further comprises:

another tubular conduit disposed adjacent an interior side of the exterior facing of the structure, the other tubular conduit having a sidewall, a first end, a second end, and a plurality of tortuous pores extending through the sidewall of the other tubular conduit, the other tubular conduit having a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and constructed of an elastomeric material such that upon applying a positive internal pressure to the other tubular conduit by the injection of pressurized pesticide into the other tubular conduit the tortuous pores of the other tubular conduit are caused to open to permit the release of pesticide from the other tubular conduit adjacent the interior side of the exterior facing while the other tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and upon removal of the positive internal pressure the tortuous pores are caused to close so that the tortuous pores remain substantially clog free while the other tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration,

wherein the connector member is attached to at least one of the first and second ends of the other tubular conduit such that pesticide may be selectively injected adjacent the interior side of the exterior facing of the structure to form a chemical barrier against the infestation of pests into the structure.

18. A subsurface pesticide injection system in combination with a structure, the structure having a footing formed in a base soil, a stem wall formed on the footing and defining a perimeter of the structure, a fill material disposed on the base soil within the perimeter of the stem wall, and a concrete slab formed on the fill material and having openings extending therethrough, the subsurface pesticide injection system comprising:

a tubular conduit disposed within the fill material of the structure such that portions of the tubular conduit are disposed adjacent the openings of the concrete slab, the tubular conduit having a sidewall, a first end, a second end, and a plurality of tortuous pores extending through the sidewall of the tubular conduit, the tubular conduit having a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and constructed of an elastomeric material such that upon applying a positive internal pressure to the tubular conduit by the injection of pressurized pesticide into the tubular conduit the tortuous pores of the tubular conduit are caused to open to permit the release of pesticide from the tubular conduit into the fill material while the tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and upon removal of the positive internal pressure the tortuous pores are caused to close so that the tortuous pores remain substantially clog free while the tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration;

a source of pressurized pesticide; and

a connector member attached to one of the first and second ends of the tubular conduit, the connector member detachably connectable to the source of pressurized pesticide such that pesticide may be selectively injected into the fill material in an injection mode to form a chemical barrier against the infestation of pests into the structure through the openings of the concrete slab.

19. The combination of claim 18 further comprising:

another tubular conduit disposed within the base soil adjacent the exterior side of the footing, the other tubular conduit having a sidewall, a first end, a second end, and a plurality of tortuous pores extending through the sidewall of the other tubular conduit, the other tubular conduit having a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and constructed of an elastomeric material such that upon applying a positive internal pressure to the other tubular conduit by the injection of pressurized pesticide into the other tubular conduit the tortuous pores of the other tubular conduit are caused to open to permit the release of pesticide from the other tubular conduit into the base soil while the other tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and upon removal of the positive internal pressure the tortuous pores are caused to close so that the tortuous pores remain substantially clog free while the other tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration,

wherein the connector member is attached to at least one of the first and second ends of the other tubular conduit such that pesticide may be selectively injected into the base soil on the exterior side of the footing to form a chemical barrier against the infestation of pests into the structure.

20. The combination of claim 18 wherein the structure further comprises an exterior facing on the exterior side of the stem wall and wherein the insecticide delivery system further comprises:

another tubular conduit disposed adjacent an interior side of the exterior facing of the structure, the other tubular conduit having a sidewall, a first end, a second end, and a plurality of tortuous pores extending through the sidewall of the other tubular conduit, the other tubular conduit having a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and constructed of an elastomeric material such that upon applying a positive internal pressure to the other tubular conduit by the injection of pressurized pesticide into the other tubular conduit the tortuous pores of the other tubular conduit are caused to open to permit the release of pesticide from the other tubular conduit adjacent the interior side of the exterior facing while the other tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and upon removal of the positive internal pressure the tortuous pores are caused to close so that the tortuous pores remain substantially clog free while the other tubular conduit maintains its substantially circular cross-sectional configuration,

wherein the connector member is attached to at least one of the first and second ends of the other tubular conduit such that pesticide may be selectively injected adjacent the interior side of the exterior facing of the structure to form a chemical barrier against the infestation of pests into the structure.