Livestock treatment capsule and method for applying a livestock treatment capsule

#This invention relates to treating livestock for pests. More particularly, the invention describes a breakable capsule used to deliver a topical chemical treatment to livestock. The invention encompasses a breakable capsule filled with a chemical treatment. The capsule is propelled at a selected animal, causing the capsule to break on the skin of the animal, thus delivering the topical treatment. The invention also encompasses a method for delivering the breakable treatment capsule.

#One problem encountered in raising livestock is the presence of pests. These pests, such as insects, ticks, and worms, are attracted to livestock for various reasons. One reason is that livestock provide a good environment for pests to lay eggs. Pests lay eggs both in animal feces and directly on animals by embedding eggs in the skin of an animal. Another reason pests are attracted to livestock is because livestock provide a good host for parasites. Parasitic pests attach themselves to livestock and suck various fluids, such as blood, from the animals they infest.

#When pests infest livestock, they create many significant problems that result in economic loss for livestock producers. The most common problem is the irritation of the animals, which causes constant movement, tail swinging, scratching, and rubbing. These movements by the livestock unnecessarily expends energy and causes a decrease in the growth potential and weight gains of the animals, thereby decreasing the yield of the livestock producer. The animal movement caused by pests creates several other problems for livestock producer, including increase in difficulty of handling, decrease in breeding activity, and a degradation in the overall health and sanitary conditions surrounding the livestock.

#FIG. 1 is a view in section of the breakable treatment capsule.

#FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the application of a breakable treatment capsule from a remote location.

#FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the method according to the invention.

#FIG. 1 shows a cross-section of the treatment capsule 10 according to one embodiment of the invention. The capsule 10 is comprised of a substantially spherical outer membrane 11 and an inner volume 12 that is enclosed by the outer membrane 11. The inner volume contains a topical treatment. In some embodiment, the topical treatment is a treatment for livestock. In one of the preferred embodiments, the treatment is a pesticide for livestock, particularly for cattle.

#The capsule 10 is constructed so it breaks when it impacts a solid object with sufficient velocity. In some embodiments, the solid object is livestock. Capsule 10 can be constructed of gelatin, a polymer such as polystyrene, or any material that will break when it strikes a solid object with sufficient velocity. In this disclosure, sufficient velocity is a velocity great enough to cause the capsule to break when it impacts a solid object. Preferably, however, the velocity of the capsule is not so great so as to cause the capsule to break before it strikes to selected animal, nor is it so great so as to damage or bruise the animal's hide. When the capsule strikes an animal, it breaks and deposits the topical treatment onto the animal's hide. A similar capsule is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,656,092 to Haman et al., relating to a paint ball used in a recreational war game.

#In one embodiment, the breakable capsule is further comprised of a biodegradable substance. After use, the used remainder of the capsule will degrade. In yet another embodiment, the breakable capsulate is further comprised of a photo-degradable additive. The capsules must be protected from light when stored. After use, sunlight will activate the photo-degradable additive, and the remainder of used capsules will degrade.