Heat system for killing pests
AssigneeEcolab USA Inc.
InventorsWilliam J. Pattison, S. John Barcay, Jason G. Lang, Christopher C. Wagner, Christopher D. Diller, Joelle F. Olson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure generally relates to the field of pest elimination including all life stages of bed bugs. The present disclosure includes articles, systems, and methods of heat treatment to target and kill pests.
Claims25
A method of treating an article comprising:
- (A) placing an article inside of an enclosure, the enclosure comprising a floor, at least one wall, and a ceiling;
- (B) sealing the enclosure;
- (C) increasing the temperature inside of the sealed enclosure at a rate of from about 1 to about 15 degrees Fahrenheit per hour until a temperature of at least about 115° F. is reached;
- and
- (D) maintaining a temperature of at least about 115° F. for a predetermined period of time.
9-41. (canceled)
A pest treatment system comprising:
- (A) a flexible and inflatable enclosure comprising
- (i) a floor;
- (ii) a ceiling;
- and
- (iii) a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, and a fourth wall;
- wherein the ceiling and the second wall can be at least partially removed to allow for articles to be placed inside of the enclosure;
- and
- (B) a heating system comprising:
- (i) a first heater;
- (ii) at least one thermocouple electrically connected to the heater and configured to be located inside of the inflated enclosure;
- and
- (iii) a controller electrically connected to the first heater and the thermocouple.
The system of claim 9, further comprising an internal fan designed to be placed inside of the inflated enclosure.
The system of claim 9, the enclosure further comprising a support structure.
The system of claim 11, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of bars configured to be connected around the exterior of the inflated enclosure.
46-48. (canceled)
The system of claim 9, the enclosure further comprising an inlet hole and an outlet hole.
The system of claim 13, the system further comprising a first duct configured to be inserted into the inlet hole of the enclosure and a second duct configured to be inserted into the outlet hole of the enclosure, wherein the first duct and the second duct each contain a manifold to open or close the duct.
51-52. (canceled)
The system of claim 9, wherein the enclosure is configured for one-time use.
The system of claim 9, wherein the enclosure is configured to be reused.
55-57. (canceled)
The system of claim 9, wherein floor is connected to each of the first, third, and fourth walls with a seam that is located at least one inch off of the ground.
The system of claim 9, wherein the enclosure has a volume of at least about 50 cubic feet when inflated.
The system of claim 9, further comprising a stand for supporting an article.
61-63. (canceled)
A method of controlling the temperature inside of an enclosure as part of a method of treating an article, the method of controlling comprising:
- (A) providing a flexible and inflatable enclosure;
- (B) providing a heating system comprising
- (i) a heater;
- (ii) a blower;
- (iii) at least one thermocouple electrically connected to the heater and located inside of the inflated enclosure and measuring Tactual;
- and
- (iv) a controller electrically connected to the heater and the thermocouple and programmed with a first mode that increases and decreases the temperature inside of the enclosure as quickly as possible and a second mode comprising a predetermined temperature ramp rate (Tsetpoint) and a target temperature (Ttarget), the controller increasing the temperature inside of the enclosure by
- (a) increasing the Tsetpoint one degree every six minutes until Ttarget is reached;
- (b) comparing the Tactual to the Tsetpoint;
- and
- (c) turning the heater on or off in response to the difference between Tactual and Tsetpoint.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.