# US 4,375,732 A · Device for combatting rodents

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 4,375,732 A
- Document ID: US4375732A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/283,937
- Filed: 1981-07-16
- Granted: 1983-03-08
- Earliest claimed: 1980-05-21
- Inventors: Emile Waast
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4375732A

## CPC

- A01M 25/004: {Bait stations, i.e. boxes completely enclosing the bait and provided with animal entrances}
- A01M: CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS (appliances for catching swarms or drone-catching A01K57/00; fishing A01K69/00 - {A01K99/00}; biocides, pest repellants or attractants A01N); APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS

## Abstract

A rodent trap comprising a tunnel and a bait container so arranged that a rodent passing through the tunnel either eats the bait or at least physically contacts the bait so that it is later poisoned when it grooms itself of bait adhering to its fur.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device for combatting rodents, the combination comprising an elongated tunnel whose axis is generally horizontal in use of the device, said tunnel being of such size and shape that it permits the passage of a rodent to be poisoned therethrough, a poisoned bait container whose axis is generally vertical in use of the device, said bait container being joined to said tunnel and positioned approximately centrally with respect to the axis of said tunnel, the axis of said container being offset from the axis of said tunnel such that the area of juncture between said tunnel and said container involves a substantial portion but less than all of the cross-sectional areas of said tunnel and of said container, said container and said tunnel being in open communication with each other at their region of juncture, said bait containing extending above said tunnel, and a supply of poisoned bait in said container located therein above said tunnel so that said bait spills out of the open end of said container into an unobstructed uncontained loose sloped pile that partially obstructs the cross-sectional area of said tunnel, whereby a rodent passing through said tunnel either eats some bait from said pile or else at least physically contacts the sloped pile of bait obstructing its passage through said tunnel so as to be later poisoned upon grooming itself by the poisoned bait adhering to its body.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein said tunnel is of generally rectilinear cross-sectional shape, and said container is of a round cross-sectional shape.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1, 2)

The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said tunnel is provided with crossbars on its bottom wall extending from side to side across the width of said tunnel.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1, 2)

The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein a wall portion extends into said supply of poisoned bait in said container to cause said bait to spill out into said unobstructed uncontained loose sloped pile of poisoned bait.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1, 2)

The device of claim 1 or 2, and removable cap means at the upper open end of said container, whereby said container may be readily refilled with poisoned bait.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1, 2)

The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said tunnel and said container are fabricated in one piece by molding of plastic material.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1, 2)

The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said tunnel and said container are separately fabricated and are assembled together to form said device.