Termiticide delivery system

• US 5,347,749 A
• Filed: 02/24/1993
• Issued: 09/20/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hometeam Pest Defense Incorporated (Pultegroup Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Pestban Pest Control of Florida, Inc.
• Inventors: Chitwood, Kenneth, Knipp, Richard, Schmitt, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Rowan, Kurt C.
• Application Number:
  US08/021,593
• Time in Patent Office: 573 Days
• Field of Search: 43/124, 43/132.1, 43/900, 137/357, 239/200, 239/208, 239/209, 52/168, 52/101, 52/302, 52/517
• 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 system for reapplication of termiticide substance to the fill dirt underlying the foundation slab of a building at potential termite entry points is installed prior to pouring the slab. The system has a single, endless unbranched emitter circuit of apertured, flexible tubing, disposed upon the fill dirt at the perimeter edges of the slab and around the openings in the slab where bundles of utility connections penetrate the slab. The emitter circuit is fed by a redundancy of open-ended unperforated trunk lines, connected to the emitter circuit at spaced apart intervals, to equalize distribution of termiticide to all soil areas adjacent the emitter circuit, the despite possible breaks or clogging in one or more trunk lines or in the emitter circuit. The trunk lines run from the emitter circuit under the slab, are bundled, and run through a single channel drilled horizontally through a foundation block, to the outside of an exterior wall of the building. After the building is constructed, the trunk lines run to an opening in a panel in a receptacle box mounted on the exterior wall. A pressurized source of termiticide is coupled to a manifold having a plurality of delivery tubes removably coupled to the trunk lines at the receptacle box, thereby permitting simultaneous delivery of termiticide to all trunk lines, which promotes equalized distribution of termiticide throughout the emitter circuit, from one location outside the building.

Claims

1. An improved termiticide delivery system for delivery of termiticide to potential termite entry areas of the fill dirt underneath the foundation slab of a building at the edges and joints thereof, comprising:

an endless unbranched emitter circuit comprised of a length of flexible tubing having a plurality of apertures spaced at intervals along the wall thereof for emitting termiticide therethrough, said emitter circuit disposed atop and across the fill dirt under the foundation slab and vapor barrier of a building, at the perimeter edges of said slab and around the edges of all openings through and interruptions of said slab;

a plurality of spiraling loops of said emitter circuit disposed around openings through said slab;

a plurality of flexible open-ended trunk lines comprising unapertured tube means, each trunk line having an injection end and a delivery end, each delivery end thereof connected to and opening into said emitter circuit at spaced-apart intervals selected to provide even distribution of termiticide throughout said emitter circuit, said trunk lines running under said slab to a common location on the outside of an exterior wall of said building;

a common receptacle box attached to said building wall and having a panel therein having a plurality of openings passing therethrough, and having the injection end of each of said trunk lines attached to said panel through one said opening therein;

applicator means comprising a manifold having a plurality of open-ended delivery lines comprised of flexible tubing, each line having a first and a second end, each said first end thereof attached and opening into said manifold, and each said second end thereof having coupling means whereby it is removably connected to one of said tube end connectors and communicates through said connector with one of said trunk lines for transmittal of fluid from said manifold into said trunk line, said manifold further having an inlet for connection to a source of termiticide; and

a pressurized source of fluid termiticide;

whereby injecting a termiticide substance through said inlet, manifold, and delivery lines into said injection ends of said trunk lines attached to said panel provides redundant delivery of termiticide throughout said emitter circuit to the fill dirt underlying all edges and interruptions of, and openings through, said slab in an effective amount.

2. An improved termiticide delivery system for delivery of termiticide to the fill dirt underneath the foundation slab of a building at the edges and joints thereof, comprising:

an endless unbranched emitter circuit comprised of a length of flexible tubing having a plurality of apertures spaced along the wall thereof for emitting termiticide therethrough, said emitter circuit disposed atop and across the fill dirt under the foundation slab and vapor barrier of a building, at the perimeter edges of said slab and around the edges of all openings through and interruptions of said slab;

plurality of flexible open-ended trunk lines comprising unapertured tube means, each trunk line having an injection end and a delivery end, each said delivery end thereof connected to and opening into said emitter circuit at spaced-apart intervals, the spacing of said intervals being selected to minimize any fluid pressure differentials occurring within said emitter circuit, said trunk lines running under said slab to a common location on the outside of an exterior wall of said building;

a common receptacle box attached to said building wall and having a panel therein having a plurality of openings passing therethrough, and having the injection end of each of said trunk lines attached to said panel through one said opening therein, whereby injecting a termiticide substance into each of said injection ends attached to said panel provides redundant delivery of termiticide throughout said emitter circuit to ensure that the soil underlying all edges, openings through, and interruptions of said slab receives effective termiticide treatment.

3. An improved termiticide delivery system for delivery of termiticide to the fill dirt underneath the foundation slab of a building at the edges and joints thereof, comprising:

an endless unbranched emitter circuit comprised of a length of flexible tubing having a plurality of apertures spaced along the wall thereof for emitting termiticide therethrough, said emitter circuit disposed atop and across the fill dirt under the foundation slab and vapor barrier of a building, at the perimeter edges of said slab and around the edges of all openings through and interruptions of said slab;

a plurality of flexible open-ended trunk lines comprising unapertured tube means, each trunk line having an injection end and a delivery end, each said delivery end thereof connected to and opening into said emitter circuit at spaced-apart intervals, the spacing of said intervals being selected to minimize any fluid pressure differentials occurring within said emitter circuit, said trunk lines running under said slab to a common location on the outside of an exterior wall of said building;

a common receptacle box attached to said building wall and having a panel therein having a plurality of openings passing therethrough, and having the injection end of each of said trunk lines attached to said panel through one said opening therein, whereby injecting a termiticide substance into each of said injection ends attached to said panel provides redundant delivery of termiticide throughout said emitter circuit to ensure that the soil underlying all edges, openings through, and interruptions of said slab receives effective termiticide treatment;

applicator means comprising a manifold having a plurality of open-ended delivery lines comprised of flexible tubing, each line having a first end and a second end, each of said first ends thereof attached and opening into said manifold, and each of said second ends thereof having coupling means whereby it is removably connected to one of said tube end connectors and communicates through said connector with one of said trunk lines for transmittal of fluid from said manifold into said trunk line, said maifold also having an inlet for connection to a source of termiticide; and

a pressurized source of fluid termiticide;

whereby injecting a termiticide substance through said inlet, manifold, and delivery lines into said injection ends of said trunk lines attached to said panel provides redundant delivery of termiticide throughout said emitter circuit to the fill dirt underlying all edges and interruptions of, and openings through, said slab in an effective amount.